Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hepatitis B is being remanded due to the need for further procedural and evidentiary development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature, etiology, and current severity of the Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral knee disabilities, right foot disability, left foot disability, and skin condition. The case is therefore being REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, and the evidence now supports this claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression with psychosis), and hypertension have also been reopened. The evidence now supports these claims as well.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective September 18, 2006, based on his service-connected heart disease and other disabilities.

The Veteran's increased ratings for hepatitis B and liver cancer, effective January 10, 2006, and September 24, 2007 respectively, are granted with an effective date of January 10, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis is related to his service, and granted service connection for hepatitis. The claim of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Hepatitis C, which he claims is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal on the issue of an increased (compensable) rating for hepatitis was dismissed because he did not complete his appeal as required.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of hepatitis C, liver disorder other than hepatitis C, kidney disorder, and bilateral knee disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and low back disability are both granted, with the low back disability receiving a 10 percent rating effective April 9, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B, finding that the Veteran's injury and transfusion in Vietnam most likely caused his hepatitis B. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is attributable to service, specifically his active duty training (ADT) service in the early 1970s. The medical evidence supports a finding that he was exposed to blood products and received vaccinations during this period which likely led to his current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service sexual activities, Vacu-jet immunizations, and/or dental procedures and his current condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a noncompensable rating prior to January 5, 2012. From January 5, 2012, he is now rated at 10 percent for his hepatitis C. His bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claims are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected due to its onset being related to his intravenous drug use after service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are not related to his service, as there is no evidence showing a chronic disease within one year post-service. The Veteran currently has these conditions but they were not shown during service.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, but the RO found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to their severity and duration.

The Board has determined that the April 20, 2005 rating decision denying service connection for hepatitis C did not involve clear and unmistakable error (CUE).