Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, citing lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during or as a result of his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia condition contributed to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HCV, which was acquired through illicit drug use. The Board finds in favor of the appellant and grants service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred between February 14, 2002 and December 16, 2002 is denied. The treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Houston RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to his inability to attend a scheduled in-person hearing. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and low back disability remain before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a low back disability, finding that direct service connection was not warranted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hepatitis to the RO for further development. The veteran is required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions since service.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, including dental treatment or sunburn. The claim was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an appendectomy and hepatitis C, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's current hepatitis C was not present in service and is not etiologically related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C. The veteran's hepatitis C is being evaluated based on his in-service exposure, if any.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and review of his claims file.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are being remanded for further development.,The veteran's claim for secondary service connection for gastric bypass surgery is being referred to the RO for initial consideration.,The veteran's right ankle disability and right middle toe fracture residuals are being examined by a VA orthopedic examiner. The examiner will determine if these disabilities are related to his left ankle disorder.,The veteran's autoimmune hepatitis claim is being examined by a VA physician who will determine whether it is at least as likely as not caused or worsened by his service-connected celiac sprue and the medications prescribed for that condition.,The veteran's sleep apnea claim is being examined by a VA physician who will determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or worsened by his service-connected celiac sprue and the medications prescribed for that condition.,The veteran's right middle toe fracture residuals are being examined by a VA orthopedic examiner. The examiner will provide an opinion on whether this disability was caused or chronically worsened by his left ankle disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his in-service hepatitis and current Hepatitis C, as well as any potential secondary relationship to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA medical examinations to address the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis B, diabetes mellitus, right knee injury, and ankle disabilities.

The VA has granted service connection for hepatitis C and awarded a 10 percent rating, but the veteran is seeking an increased rating. The Board finds that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the veteran's condition.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's condition is mostly asymptomatic with no significant liver damage or complications.

The appellant has withdrawn the appeal regarding service connection for Hepatitis C, and thus the case is dismissed.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of revised schedular criteria. The RO must obtain clinical and laboratory records from November 2002 to the present at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, schedule a VA gastrointestinal examination, and again review the record considering both old and new criteria for rating gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and an increased rating for PTSD. The VA determined that Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and that the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD were not met.