Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the appellant's requests for increased evaluations for his right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left arm. The remaining issues are pending.

The Veteran is not shown to have a disability manifested by liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and Gilbert's Syndrome, or dizziness or fatigue due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatty liver, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus type II are related to his active duty service. The decision grants these claims.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lung disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, liver disorder (including hepatitis), and thyroid disorder, all presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of hepatitis or any liver, renal, or gallstone disability related to a disease or injury in active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hepatitis C and head injury residuals are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting in-service exposure. The claim for hepatitis C is denied as there is no credible evidence linking it to active duty, while the claim for head injury residuals is granted based on a history consistent with his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his period of active military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, but the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure and causation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin cancer and hepatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is not symptomatic and does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hepatitis C and a gastrointestinal disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for hepatitis B and C is denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran died from respiratory failure, pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis and prostate cancer. These conditions are not shown to be causally related to his service. The record does not include any evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the claim was not filed within one year of his discharge from active duty, and thus no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C service connection claims are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a shortness of breath disability due to asbestos exposure, but denied reopening his claim for Hepatitis C disability.,A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's COPD disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for Hepatitis B is granted, with the effective date set at January 4, 1977.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and hepatitis A, finding that the Veteran's use of illicit drugs during service was a result of his willful misconduct. The Board concluded that the risk factors for hepatitis C were not incurred in line of duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking a VA medical opinion regarding his hepatitis C and PTSD claims.