Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled hearing and because he is homeless. The RO must schedule a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge and provide copies of all correspondence to the VA facility where the Veteran receives medical care, in addition to mailing a copy to the most recent address of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, and a foot disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was previously denied in September 2005 due to lack of evidence showing permanent hearing loss at separation from service. The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C is not supported by evidence related to active duty service or any other risk factors. The Board also found that the Veteran's foot disorder is not shown to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection. The claim for PTSD is currently pending.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease resulted in an MI in December 2003, but has not led to additional complications. The depressive disorder is service-connected due to its relationship to his service-connected conditions. New evidence has reopened the claim for hepatitis C, which was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C had its onset during his service as a combat medic in Vietnam. By extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, the Board grants service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcoholism, which was a cause of his death from liver failure and other conditions, was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and depression, are found to be rated as follows: Hepatitis C (30%), Depression associated with hepatitis C (50%), and tinnitus (10%). The combined rating is 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

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

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his liver cirrhosis and coronary artery disease, which are related to his active duty service. The appeal as to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's hepatitis C infection has been manifested by subjective complaints of fatigue and anorexia, but does not require dietary restriction or continuous medication, resulting in no incapacitating episodes. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically in-patient records from Germany related to an outbreak of hepatitis.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is found to be related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, were all denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was determined to have resulted from his own drug use during service, and as such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service event or in-service incurrence.