Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and all of his psychiatric symptoms are attributed to the service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's hepatitis is considered resolved with no ongoing active infection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C infection. The reopened claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and service connection for hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional clinical assessment and medical opinion.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 1998 to April 2003 at Premier Medical Ear, Nose, and Throat Group. The denial was based on the absence of prior authorization, non-emergent nature of the treatment, and lack of feasibly available VA facilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD has not been reopened. The claim for hepatitis C is established as the disease was caused by in-service and post-service intravenous drug use. The right knee disability rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was first diagnosed during his third period of active duty and has continued since then. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hepatitis C, and depression have been granted service connection as they are related to his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disability, but rather by a pre-existing condition (alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis). The DIC claim is denied as there was no service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and an inadequate VA examination report.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not attributable to his military service and the Board has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that there is no clear evidence of hepatitis C or a gastrointestinal disorder having its onset in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for hepatitis in November 1996 was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus the severance of this disability in September 1997 was improper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no in-service exposure or a link between his current condition and any claimed in-service risk factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining a VA opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during active military service. The Board found the evidence against a finding that he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical condition.