Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to the RO for further action. The bilateral hearing loss issue is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective September 3, 2004. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no finding of hepatomegaly or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's pre-diabetes was not found to be a ratable disability and therefore not service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. He also does not have a current Hepatitis B infection, so his claim for this condition is denied.,There is no indication of a chronic disability related to the Veteran's exposure to the Hepatitis B virus.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which led to alcohol abuse and liver cancer. The Board grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of hepatitis C is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his claimed exposure incidents and obtaining SSA records. An examination will also be arranged to determine the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not related to his military service, including no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has ordered the claims to be remanded for additional development and readjudication, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and HIV, finding that the Veteran's intravenous drug use during service was not willful misconduct and therefore could be considered as a result of his service-connected otitis media.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral foot disability, stomach disorder, and Hepatitis C have been granted. The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for his dorsolumbar scar, effective from April 15, 1998.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issue remains whether he should be rated higher for his hepatitis B.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease, claimed as hepatitis, was denied. His claims for PTSD and hypertension were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis C were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for a Travel Board hearing due to his incarceration, and there is no indication of withdrawal or inability to attend.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and thus grants the reopening of this claim.