Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran had chronic otitis media, which was granted service connection. However, all other issues related to his low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and right hip disability were denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for a deviated septum, low back disability, and hepatitis C can be adjudicated.

The Board has ordered a remand to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations and to attempt to contact him in order to provide his current address. The case will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new VA outpatient treatment records. The claims for hepatitis C and a kidney disorder will be reconsidered in light of these records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, but the Board found that service connection for hepatitis C should be granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is pending and must be remanded to clarify the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the VA examination in response to the January 2010 Remand is inadequate and requires further action. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim must be remanded for an adequate medical opinion, and his PTSD with major depressive disorder evaluation appeal must have a SOC issued.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, a heart condition, hypertension, and hepatitis A. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran died of liver failure due to cryptogenic cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected, nor did it find evidence supporting a secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability has been productive of daily fatigue and required dietary restriction throughout the appeal period, but not hepatomegaly. Effective April 27, 2012, a rating of 60 percent is granted for hepatitis C.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding it secondary to the Veteran's in-service parenteral heroin and cocaine use.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C or an acquired psychiatric disorder during service and determined that the current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, an initial rating greater than 30 percent for status-post liver transplant with hepatitis C, and earlier effective dates for scar residuals of a liver transplant. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities in January 2009 but did not request earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, which were aggravated by his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his request for a TDIU. The issues of reduction in rating were found to have been properly processed.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service stressors were deemed not credible.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, and C.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.