Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide an examination regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis, which resulted from his self-treatment of PTSD with alcohol and drugs. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, since service connection has been granted, the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot and dismissed.

The Board has granted higher initial ratings for hepatitis B and depressive disorder, with a 50 percent rating assigned for depressive disorder effective from November 13, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated based on their direct impact rather than any presumption or secondary condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and resulting cirrhosis of the liver are granted service connection as they were incurred during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and hepatitis C disabilities are found to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and sleep apnea syndrome are not service-connected, with no causal link to his military service.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence of an in-service occurrence and the Veteran's current disability could have occurred many years after leaving service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support a link between his in-service exposure and the development of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing at the RO in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, depression, and hepatitis C for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B is not service connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The claim will be denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disease/disorder. The issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for hypertension is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. He has requested another hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The case is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the Veteran's request for additional evidence. The appeal will be handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing at the RO has not been addressed. The case is being remanded to schedule the requested hearing.