Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and fatty liver, cirrhosis of the liver are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to ensure that all relevant VA medical records have been obtained and to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, specifically addressing his reported in-service risk factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service, specifically from air-gun injections and sharing of razors and toothbrushes in service. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if hepatitis C is etiologically related to service, and for consideration of any new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, specifically blood exposure during active service and/or any immunizations by airgun injection. The AOJ will obtain relevant medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for hepatitis C and is remanding her claim for unspecified benign neoplasms due to lack of current disability evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his hepatitis C was caused by air gun inoculations upon entry into service. The current evidence does not support a direct service connection, but there are plausible alternative theories of causation.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims and determined that new evidence received since the prior denial does not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions. The evidence is insufficient to support a finding of an undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records. The claims are related to his service-connected degenerative joint disease at L1/L2 with annular tear at L5/S1, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a liver condition, infectious hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and intermittent joint pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of the disease during service or until many years after, and it is not shown to have been caused by any in-service event.

The Board has determined that a 10 percent evaluation is warranted for the service-connected hepatitis B and C, as the Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 7345 and 7354. The noncompensable rating remains in effect.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum to the VA examination. The Veteran's hepatitis C may have begun during service or after.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sensitivity to cold temperature of the right index finger is related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claims for a mental disorder and chemical dependency are remanded as additional evidence is needed. Service connection for hepatitis A, B and/or C will also be remanded due to insufficient information in the record.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The claim for increased rating of residuals of fracture of the T4 and T5 vertebrae is denied as there is no evidence that the current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's infectious hepatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under DC 7345. The symptoms reported (fatigue and occasional abdominal pain) are not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for spousal aid and attendance benefits is granted with an effective date of June 29, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and additional evidence collection. The issues of rating PTSD and TDIU are part of the same claim.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver and esophageal varices are being remanded due to a lack of thorough review of his Army service treatment records. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with an appropriate clinician for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension to include as due to exposure to herbicides has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the issue of service connection for hypertension.