Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C. Resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, the Veteran is found to have hepatitis C related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during his military service and ruled against him.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his Hepatitis C and an initial rating for diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis C and a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing VA records, the need for a definitive medical determination regarding liver malignancy, and the need for another psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his hepatitis with gastrointestinal disturbances is denied as there is no evidence of active liver disease or ongoing symptoms that warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his hepatitis C. The issue of helpless child benefits on behalf of the Veteran's dependent J.S., on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before he attained the age of 18, also needs to be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and asbestosis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding his service connection and rating for left knee disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected eczematoid and acneform dermatitis is manifested by pain, itchiness, comedones; comedonal lesions; papules; pustules; and superficial cysts occurring at various points on every aspect of his body. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to her medical disabilities. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected subtotal gastrectomy with vagotomy contributed substantially or materially to his death from liver failure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to service, as it was likely due to pre-service drug use.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C is not related to his active military service, including any reported airgun injections. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was caused by other risk factors such as blood transfusions and intranasal cocaine use.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, and peripheral neuropathy due to speculative nature of causation.

The Board found that the Veteran's infectious hepatitis A is currently asymptomatic and denied his claim for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated as noncompensable due to lack of symptoms such as malaise and anorexia. The appeal for a compensable evaluation or earlier effective date has been denied.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claims for service connection for a liver disability and hepatitis C. He alleges that he has received treatment for these conditions while incarcerated, which could potentially contain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's death cause.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.