Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B and C are due to his inservice drug abuse, which constitutes willful misconduct. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis B and increased disability ratings for his right clavicle fracture, right knee osteoarthritis, and left mandible fracture. The Veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 10 percent since January 14, 2009 due to 10 incapacitating episodes of fatigue and malaise over the past year.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B was denied in July 1993. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent under DC 5260, which rates limitation of flexion. A higher rating for limitation of flexion is not available. No extraschedular consideration was warranted.

The Board found no current disability of hepatitis B and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for Hepatitis, finding that there was no actual improvement in symptoms and thus not meeting the criteria for reduction.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C, back disability, left hip disability, and TDIU claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis or competent medical nexus linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's risk factors for hepatitis C and to confirm his diagnosis of hepatitis C. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, which is an acquired psychiatric disorder, was first manifested during his period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence showing a current diagnosis of dysthymia with PTSD traits.,The claims for service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C were not reopened as the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to her military service and denied all claims for service connection.