Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the hepatitis C noted on the Veteran's death certificate was related to the hepatitis he received in service, and if so, whether it contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has hepatitis A or B, and whether any current conditions are related to his in-service hepatitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stroke, migraine headaches, PTSD, hypertension, onychomycosis, hepatitis C, and joint pains. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or association with these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a blood transfusion during his March 1990 surgery, and the acquired psychiatric disorder, back injury, and eye disorders are not related to service.

The Board found that the May 13, 1976 motor vehicle accident was not due to the Veteran's willful misconduct. The claims for service connection were adjudicated and a mixed disposition was reached.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination. The issue of whether he can secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation related to his service-connected hepatitis C will also be addressed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and conduct further review of the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and head injury residuals.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if VA's failure to timely diagnose and properly treat the Veteran's non-alcoholic cirrhosis led to his death from liver failure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C, including whether there are verified stressors related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for hepatitis B is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his current symptoms and determine their relationship to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to have originated during service, and the claim for memory loss is granted. The claims for ionizing radiation exposure are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for cervical spine strain are being remanded due to incomplete development of his records, including personnel records from the Army National Guard. The VA will also obtain recent treatment records and complete any further development as directed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's hepatitis B disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe evaluations.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 29, 2004, and increased to 20 percent effective September 19, 2005. The Board has now assigned a 30 percent rating for the period prior to March 29, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as he was not restricted to activities due to his condition.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board at his local RO. The appeal is not about service connection under any specific theory of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left leg disorder and hepatitis symptoms.