Hepatitis C decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial higher (compensable) ratings for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory condition are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B diagnoses, requiring further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for HIV and hepatitis C as there is insufficient evidence regarding his exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a neck condition, and a back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's right upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are all rated at the lowest possible level (10%).,Hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensable due to its nonsymptomatic nature.

The Board has reopened the claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded both issues due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, cirrhosis of the liver (secondary to Hepatitis C), chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to Hepatitis C), and hepatic encephalopathy (secondary to Hepatitis C) have been granted service connection. The rating for residuals of shell fragment wound of the lumbar area with retained metallic foreign body is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The PTSD claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and provide nexus opinions. The Veteran's service records do not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for most conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted. The Board has decided that the matter of determining whether hepatitis C is related to active service should be remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C and Paranoid Schizophrenia have been dismissed.,A rating of 70 percent has been granted for PTSD throughout the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, low back disability, headaches, hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), and seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, hepatitis C, and an increased rating for the service-connected left shoulder disability. Additionally, the cause of death claim is also being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and hepatitis C were all denied.,No effective dates earlier than the assigned dates are granted as they represent the earliest possible effective dates.