Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and remanded the underlying issue of whether it is related to service due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and additional examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and it is granted as the Veteran's risk factors include U.S. Air Force service from 1964-1968 and history of IV illicit drug use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining records regarding alleged stressful events in Vietnam and VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, anxiety, and depression. As a result, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C has been manifested by intermittent fatigue, with no complaints of anorexia and/or incapacitating episodes. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has anorexia or incapacitating periods due to her service-connected hepatitis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C and is now considering it on its merits. The case is being remanded to obtain additional Social Security Administration records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hepatitis B and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis A or chronic residual disability related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, but he meets the criteria for housebound benefits due to his age and service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are being remanded due to inadequate examination report, missing VA treatment records, and need for clarification on when the tattoo was obtained.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his service, as it was first diagnosed over twenty years after service. The Veteran's testimony indicated that he shared needles for intravenous drug use, which is an intervening risk factor.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including verifying stressor events and obtaining service personnel records. The VA will also schedule examinations to address the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to cryptogenic cirrhosis, which is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to Agent Orange and no other presumptive conditions. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis was granted, but he is still seeking an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death is not attributable to a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no medical evidence or opinion linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's application for disability benefits. The case is now remanded for further development.