Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service-connected PTSD, as he used drugs like cocaine during service. The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not manifested daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with substantial weight loss and hepatomegaly; or experienced any incapacitating episodes of hepatitis C totaling a duration of at least six weeks during any 12-month period. Therefore, the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain the Veteran's full service department records, which may contain information relevant to his claim for hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in hepatitis C and residual painful scars disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne and remanded the claims of hepatitis C and hair loss due to exposure to herbicides. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (vasectomy), Hepatitis C and a liver disorder, thigh scarring as secondary to Hepatitis C, scars from injections associated with Hepatitis C, headaches including migraines, and a cognitive disorder to include Alzheimer's disease. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow cellulitis and Hepatitis A were denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was reopened, but new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim has not been received.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, while his Hepatitis C claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is denied as there was no evidence of a blood transfusion at the VA medical center, and his current condition does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.,For the left thumb MCP joint issue, the case is remanded to determine if VA properly obtained informed consent prior to the surgeries and whether any additional disability was caused by carelessness or negligence on VA's part.

The Veteran's death is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the cause of death was related to service. The appellant's claim for recognition as a dependent child for purposes of establishing entitlement to VA DIC benefits is granted.

The Board has vacated its decision denying service connection for hepatitis C due to the presence of a current diagnosis. The case is now remanded for an addendum VA examination opinion.