Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his fatty infiltration of the liver, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. Hepatitis C is shown to have developed as a result of exposure to blood during a rescue operation in active service and liver cancer is proximately due to the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active service, and affirms the denial of service connection.

The Veteran's service is not considered to meet the criteria for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits due to insufficient qualifying military service during a period of war.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's polycythemia vera, cirrhosis of the liver, and enlarged spleen were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 40 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of substantial weight loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for the residuals of recurrent hepatitis, claimed as a liver condition, is being remanded due to inadequate notice and assistance.

The VA denied the claim for an increased evaluation of hepatitis B, finding that there was no evidence of persistent or recurrent symptoms. The claims for service connection for hypertension and glaucoma remain unresolved.

The Board is remanding the case to consider a claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 and obtain additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and another VA opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of hepatitis B and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations, as well as his reopenings of service connection claims. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen some of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The medical opinion supports a finding that exposure during active duty caused an immunological response leading to sarcoidosis, which contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU since July 27, 2002 has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and infertility are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA medical records. A VA examination is also required to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C has been manifested by fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and arthralgia without minor weight loss or hepatomegaly. The criteria for a higher initial disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip disorder, hepatitis C, and leukemia have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.,For residuals of cold injury to the toes, the Veteran was not provided with adequate medical examination as required by the August 2008 remand.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability benefits records. The appellant's representative designation needs to be clarified.

The Veteran is entitled to compensation for an abdominal scar resulting from complications of a June 2001 colonoscopy performed at the Atlanta VAMC, but not for hepatitis B and C.