Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for Hepatitis C and stomach/colon cancer. The appeal is currently remanded for additional examination and review.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of the existing evidence. The case is now being sent back to the Regional Office (RO) for the requested development, including obtaining hospitalization records and a supplemental opinion from Dr. Thompson.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service.

The veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active service and is granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal hepatocellular carcinoma was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a VA medical examination to determine if the veteran suffers from Hepatitis C and, if so, when it was first manifested. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C with associated liver cirrhosis. The case is being remanded due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA medical examinations and his ongoing treatment at a VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of hepatitis or a liver disability, and thus his claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, which he contends was incurred due to exposure to open wounds of other soldiers in Vietnam. The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before the claim can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether VA's prescription of valproic acid caused or aggravated the veteran's hepatitis C.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis, otitis of the right ear, and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by her active military service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have any residual conditions from infectious hepatitis and therefore denied his claim for an increased evaluation.

The veteran's death from cirrhosis of the liver is considered service-connected due to his status as a former prisoner of war.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis, finding that the evidence supports a direct link to service without relying on any presumptions or secondary conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of evidence, including obtaining records from National Personnel Records Center and VA hospitals regarding blood transfusions and liver function tests during service. The veteran's hepatitis C may be related to his service due to potential exposure through blood transfusions or biopsy samples.