Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2010

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hepatitis C is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and the claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver due to VA treatment with nefazodone (Serzone). The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty from May 1978 to May 1998, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, glaucoma, and dental treatment purposes. The claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for left varicocele with referred pain in the left flank and testicle was also denied as there was no evidence of emergency medical care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for removal of his left testicle and hepatitis C, finding no direct or presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's hepatitis C is related to service. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing his risk factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B did not manifest during or as a result of his active military service and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial compensable evaluation for service-connected pes planus is also being remanded.

The Veteran is seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Hepatitis C. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the frequency and nature of incapacitating episodes, as well as the cause of hepatomegaly.

The Veteran's widow is seeking retroactive DEA benefits back to May 16, 2000. The RO denied her claim based on the fact that an April 2007 rating decision established a permanent and total disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected end stage liver disease due to hepatitis C effective May 16, 2000. However, DEA eligibility was initially established effective June 17, 2003 based on the assignment of a permanent and total 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected end stage liver disease due to hepatitis C. The Board finds it necessary to remand the appellant's claim for readjudication of this issue.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, liver disease, and liver cancer. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and clarify the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The extension of temporary total disability ratings beyond August 31, 2005, and November 30, 2005, for right knee surgery and left knee surgery respectively is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was reduced to a noncompensable rating from March 1, 2008. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating from March 1, 2008 to July 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to PTSD, tinnitus, and chronic liver disease due to hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, while there is no evidence of active hepatitis B during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's underlying cause of death, hepatitis C, was not incurred during or related to military service and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred in service, while his kidney disability is not considered service-connected due to being related to a non-service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus).