Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2012

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

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected splenectomy is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating. The claim for hepatitis residuals has been granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied in April 2003, but new evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for stomach disorder has been reopened with the submission of new and material evidence. The issue remains on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of current hepatitis or its residuals related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for her service-connected digestive system disabilities. The disability was initially rated at 30 percent from September 11, 1991 to March 1, 2012 and then increased to 100 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis B was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence of an active disease or resulting chronic liver disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection and a compensable rating are not addressed as the appeal is in process.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to missing VA treatment records and a need for VCAA notice. The case is REMANDED.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at a 10 percent disability rating prior to October 31, 2011, due to intermittent fatigue and malaise.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hepatitis A and B, as well as his claim for an increased rating for scar residuals. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in 2010 without providing good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to incomplete records. Further development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to chloracne or acneform disease, hepatitis C and the application to reopen the claim of service connection for passive-aggressive personality disorder. The appeal regarding a rating higher than 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was also dismissed as he limited his appeal to a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hepatitis C was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on incapacitating episodes or daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was remanded and is not addressed in this decision.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service. The Veteran currently has pes planus, irritable bowel syndrome, varicose veins, and hepatitis A.,The initial rating for the service-connected pes planus prior to April 5, 2007 was denied due to lack of moderate disability. After that date, it is rated as 10 percent disabling.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome beginning on May 9, 2011 was denied as the current disability picture does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The initial compensable evaluation for varicose veins, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity were both denied due to lack of evidence of persistent edema or other disabling symptoms.,Service connection for hepatitis A was denied as there is no current disability.,Hepatitis A currently has an effective date of the day following the decision.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to renal failure caused by hepatitis C, which is service-connected.,Special Monthly Compensation for the loss of use of one foot and additional accrued benefits were granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tuberculosis and granted entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath and chest pain, are related to his in-service exposure to tuberculosis.