Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to service, and his hepatitis C was likely contracted in service. The claim for a low back disability is denied, while the claim for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including considering in-service hepatitis C risk factors and obtaining a reassessment of the cause of death opinion from Dr. R.T.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Vincent Hospital and the Laurel Medical Center between April 29, 2003, and May 27, 2003 is denied because he was not an active participant in the VA healthcare system during the preceding 24 months.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the current appeal, including obtaining medical opinions to address the etiology of the veteran's cause of death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus was dismissed as he did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to lack of a timely substantive appeal. The claims for left shoulder disability and hepatitis C were also denied as there was no evidence showing they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board at the RO.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C in service and denied the claim for service connection. The earlier effective date claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension, ruptured left ear drum, and serum hepatitis (hepatitis B) are all related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Board has determined that further development is required for the veteran's claims, including additional examinations and obtaining relevant medical records. The case will be remanded to the RO for these actions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, hypertension, residuals of brain surgery, benign prostatic hypertrophy (claimed as prostate), and hepatitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed hepatitis C to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of compensation for a right knee and right leg nerve injury under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is remanded for further development.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's hepatitis C and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by service, as it is more likely than not due to his reported IV drug use during and after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, liver condition, and kidney condition are related to his service. The veteran's claims for post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lung disorder have not been established.