Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hepatitis C is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for the residuals of hepatitis, including fatigue, joint pain, and malaise.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be etiologically related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death, kidney failure, was found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and the underlying conditions of diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. As these conditions are presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at 60 percent, which is higher than the initial 30 percent rating granted in March 1991. The effective date for this increased rating has not been specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a new hepatitis C questionnaire, schedule VA examinations for his neck, back and feet conditions, and readjudicate the claims.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his HIV disorder. The claims are also being remanded to determine if he is entitled to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain National Guard service records and determine if the claimed conditions are related to in-service chemical exposure. The AMC/RO will also attempt to confirm the dates of the Veteran's National Guard service, including any periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board found that hepatitis, including hepatitis C, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for Crohn's disease and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not originate during his military service or were otherwise unrelated to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and is granted. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or chronicity of hepatitis A for VA purposes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, PTSD and a schizoaffective disorder. The claim is granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for ankle and heel disabilities, service connection for bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, and hepatitis C. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophageal variance, and cirrhosis. The Veteran's schizophrenia was not found to be related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic hepatitis B was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Board found that the VA examination report was inadequate and remanded to obtain an opinion regarding his bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded again due to failure to comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder will need further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.