Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the evidence did not support his pending claims for PTSD and depression. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is currently in remission and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, thus denying his claim for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension, hepatitis B, and hiatal hernia with GERD are all rated based on their respective diagnostic codes. The rating for hepatitis C is changed to align with the correct diagnostic code.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hepatitis A/B and C is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a compensable rating for chronic infectious hepatitis prior to August 12, 2000 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for the disability prior to April 19, 2002. The Veteran appealed this decision but the Court affirmed it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C with hepatocellular carcinoma, including cirrhosis, ascites and upper gastrointestinal bleed is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the onset and etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is determined to be a result of drug abuse during service, and as such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and has also reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hepatitis C, bilateral eye disorder, and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, rectal disorder, and hepatitis C. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain further clarification on these issues.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's National Guard and Reserve service records and obtaining any outstanding treatment records. The issue of reopening a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to hepatitis C with cirrhosis, status post liver transplant. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hepatitis C condition is remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis B diagnosis and its relation to service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not due to his military service. The other issues of service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, acid reflux disease, and hepatitis C are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining operative room records from his 1975 surgery and scheduling an appropriate examination. The Veteran may also be scheduled for a hearing if he desires one.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has PTSD related to service and whether he currently suffers from hepatitis B. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C and kidney stones were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or treatment related to these conditions during the appeal period.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a current disability in either condition, and the Veteran did not provide competent medical evidence to support his assertions.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B and the evidence does not support service connection for this condition.