Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and hepatitis C are granted as service-connected. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise for both conditions, granting service connection based on noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and hearing loss due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, passive aggressive personality disorder, and hepatitis C have been reopened. The claim for bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support granting service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis C have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, low back disability, and right knee disability have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but has remanded the issues of service connection for a right hip disorder, back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis C. The Veteran's migraines are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver have not caused symptoms such as intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, or any incapacitating episodes (with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain). As a result, a compensable initial evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, end-stage liver failure due to hepatitis C, is considered service-connected for purposes of entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits. However, the appellant was not owed any accrued benefits at the time of her husband's death as no monetary benefits were due based on his initial claim filed before he died.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a liver transplant, finding that further examination is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disorder, a disorder of the left leg (including degenerative joint disease of the left hip), hepatitis C, and epididymitis due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist degenerative arthritis, depression, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine with left leg radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and a nervous condition is granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and enlarged liver with indicated fatty infiltration and cysts (claimed as cysts) are denied. The claim of service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and Hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his service connection claims. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions based on in-service noise exposure and immunization, respectively.