Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a liver condition other than hepatitis C, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any aspect thereof.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is pending, as the appeal was withdrawn. The right foot injury with right ankle capsulitis and scars have been granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective February 4, 2009. The low back strain remains at a 10 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the most likely etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, and to assess whether it was incurred during service or due to in-service risk factors.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary psychiatric disability due to hepatitis C remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring that the VA has considered her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was caused by a blood transfusion in February 1982, which was not reasonably foreseeable at the time. The claim is granted as compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated the Veteran's alcoholism, which contributed significantly to his cirrhosis of the liver and ultimately caused his death.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is denied. The effective date for the grant of HIV service connection remains July 24, 2009. The Veteran's rating for HIV remains at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring proper notice.

The Veteran's service-connected steatohepatitis has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his symptoms are more likely attributable to diabetes rather than steatohepatitis. The Board finds that he does not meet the requirements for any of the rating levels under Diagnostic Code 7345.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which was presumed to have been incurred due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, contributed substantially or materially to cause his death from congestive heart failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C, finding that there was no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C service connection claim and PTSD disability evaluation claims are being remanded for additional development. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board found that osteomyelitis of the right great toe was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. The hepatitis C claim is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, hepatic and renal failure due to sepsis, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis).

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The issue of cirrhosis of the liver, related to Agent Orange exposure and/or service-connected disability, is remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's hepatitis C with liver damage is related to his military service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.