Hepatitis C decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to November 17, 2009 and from November 1, 2016 to July 14, 2017 as his VA compensation benefits were found to be the greater benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, which caused his death from hepatocellular carcinoma, was related to service exposure without appropriate personal protective equipment. As a result, the cause of the Veteran's death is now considered service-connected.

The Board has denied service connection for visual degradation due to the lack of current disability. The claims for right foot disability, hepatitis C, hypertension, low back disability, and duodenitis are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C have been denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left middle finger injury is also denied as there is no additional functional loss beyond what is already accounted for by the current rating. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of Hepatitis C is being remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C due to additional evidence being added to the record. The Veteran's former representative withdrew from representation, so the case will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 6, 2017 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and thyroid disorder as due to hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate examinations and failure to address certain issues raised by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for hepatitis C and has remanded the issue of cirrhosis of the liver, which is related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right-hand disability, hepatitis C, respiratory condition (COPD and emphysema), and heart condition (CAD) have all been denied as there is no probative medical evidence to support the assertions that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to service, as well as whether it contributed to his death from liver cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations, and a new opportunity is provided for the Veteran to report for these examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding whether the Veteran's HCV began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and that additional development is necessary.