Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the R-1 or R-2 level is remanded due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records. The AOJ should also issue an SOC regarding the L-level SMC claim based on loss of use of the left and right feet.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion considering repetitive lifting.,The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide adequate rationale regarding air gun inoculation.,The kidney disability claim is remanded as there was no discussion of unprotected sexual encounters or air gun inoculation, and diabetes mellitus type II is noted but denied in a previous decision.,The right hip disability claim is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's contention that his right hip condition is related to his service-connected right knee disability.,The effective date earlier than June 29, 2010 for the right knee disability is remanded due to lack of range of motion testing in the May 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not due to a service-connected disability and that medications taken for his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his liver disease.

The Board has found that the most recent VA medical opinion did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service blood exposure without protective gloves and having cuts on his hands due to handling concertina wire, as well as whether the Veteran's hepatitis C resulted from air gun inoculations. The matter is being remanded for a new clarifying VA medical opinion that addresses all of these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, loss of balance, chest numbness, right and left upper extremity disability, sleep apnea, COPD, sinusitis, ventral hernia, and a higher rating for the chest surgical scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor due to a lack of new and relevant evidence in his February 2019 supplemental claim.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is granted service connection. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, portal hypertension, splenomegaly and a gallbladder condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions or any other potential causes. The appellant must provide additional information about medical records related to her claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cause of death and his service, specifically his presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and an effective date earlier than September 18, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), hepatitis C, liver scarring, and headaches secondary to service-connected tinnitus are remanded.