Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including providing proper VCAA notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chest tumor with blood spots, abdomen and left shoulder tumors, neuralgia, pancreas disability, persistent cough, severe joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, actinic keratosis and skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, memory disability, liver disability and possible cirrhosis, urinary disability, prostate disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability with sciatica.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based upon the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he did not meet the criteria.

The veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his right knee disability, and service connection has been established for hepatitis C.,Service connection was granted for the veteran's hepatitis C based on evidence of a link between the condition and his period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B with cirrhosis as there is no current disability and the veteran's liver condition is attributed to alcohol abuse.

The Board finds that a service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C and remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the relationship between the veteran's service and his hepatitis C and undifferentiated somatoform disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, an eye disorder, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a bilateral foot condition, claimed as jungle rot.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis B and C as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis.

The veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in active service based on competent and credible testimony of a blood transfusion during active service, even in the absence of an official record of such a blood transfusion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities, dyslipidemia, and hepatitis C as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C with a mood disorder is being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by jaundice, including hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver; a liver disorder, classified as Gilbert's syndrome/disease with hyperbilirubinemia; and a disability manifested by dizziness or fatigue.

The Board remands the case for additional development, specifically to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C requires additional development and a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any hepatitis C.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for Child A cirrhosis associated with Hepatitis C was denied as the medical evidence did not show symptoms such as weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, and malaise.

The veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 40 percent, and separate ratings for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves and voiding dysfunction were assigned.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the veteran's claimed stressors and service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C.