Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and liver disease, as well as increased ratings for his left knee disability and sleep apnea, were denied. The appeal is based on new evidence that reopened the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's in-service hepatitis contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether he had exposure to herbicides during service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and Meniere's disease are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his service or any service-connected conditions. The medical opinions provided did not support a link between the cirrhosis and herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD contributed to his death from hepatic carcinoma and cirrhosis of the liver. The appellant must also be provided with VCAA notice specific to DIC claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal for hepatitis C is remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee and right hip conditions have been withdrawn. The claim for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, disease or exposure that could have caused the condition. The diagnosis of hepatitis C occurred after service and there is no medical opinion linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an initial compensable evaluation for a right hand and wrist disability, finding no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and a thyroid disability were denied. The Board found no direct or presumptive service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his military service, either due to the onset of the condition in service or as a result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided with an appropriate VA examination to determine if his hepatitis C is related to service. The issue will then be readjudicated.

The Veteran's death was caused by liver failure due to hepatitis C, which is service-connected as it originated during his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and unconfirmed addresses. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C is granted. The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD related to in-service stressors consistent with his Vietnam service, and he has cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C that may be related to his active military service.

The Veteran seeks compensation for hepatitis C under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, but the claim is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records from September 1971 to March 2001 and August 2006 to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with secondary renal disease and hepatitis B with cirrhosis were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other causative factors.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of these conditions until many years after discharge from active duty, and there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was determined to be a result of his own willful misconduct, specifically intravenous drug use. His depression is not service connected as it resulted from the denial of reenlistment due to his own willful misconduct.