Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The Board found that the Veteran did not have PTSD and thus, his claim cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of hepatitis C, status post liver transplant. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, but the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was incurred in or otherwise the result of his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains pending as does the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition, hemorrhoids, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his military service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's death was due to alcoholic cirrhosis and alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to a blood transfusion he received in service for his combat wound, and the Board has granted service connection based on this evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional information from the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of service-connected hepatitis A, as well as the likely etiology of claimed hepatitis B and C.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from private facilities and prisons where he may have received treatment for hepatitis C.

The Board found no causal link between the Veteran's thyroid surgery and his musculoskeletal pains, concluding that the pain is more likely due to pre-existing degenerative disease of the spine.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and for VA burial benefits can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, hearing loss, liver disability (including cirrhosis and hepatitis C), psychiatric disability (including PTSD and MDD), hypertension, asbestosis, residuals of a scrape injury to the back, right elbow disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and related conditions are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current health issues.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C may be related to his military service, specifically his in-service vaccinations and exposure to herbicides. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for PTSD. The claim of hepatitis C service connection was withdrawn by the Veteran before decision. For PTSD, the Board has determined that a 100% rating is warranted from January 30, 2010 onward.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a requested personal hearing. The issues of service connection are pending.