Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's liver disorder with history of hepatitis C has not been manifested at any time during the appeal period by symptoms more nearly approximating daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia (without minor weight loss and hepatomegaly), requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication; or by incapacitating episodes (with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have hepatitis and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a liver disability, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. The evidence received since the May 2004 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for service connection for hepatitis C have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and chronic liver disease, to include residuals of hepatitis and fatigue have been denied as there is no competent evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and his claims for service connection were denied. The accrued benefits claims related to the Veteran's disabilities are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is not related to his service and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for hepatitis C and a skin disability (claimed as a skin rash) are also denied.

The Board determined that the reduction in the Veteran's disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was legally proper based on sustained improvement in his hepatitis C symptoms.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a diagnosis during active duty and the condition is unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, a lumbar spine disability, heart disease, and hepatitis due to insufficient development. The Veteran's file must be provided to the VA examiners for review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims, particularly regarding her Hepatitis C and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the review of additional evidence, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his non-service-connected conditions, which include dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which was diagnosed in 2001. The appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active military service, while finding that his hepatitis C is related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis, a lower back disability, and a right shoulder injury. The claim for a right knee injury was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The hepatitis C issue is also being remanded due to lack of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to a withdrawal of appeal for the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being reviewed, and additional development is needed including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, but denied both on the merits. The Veteran's hepatitis C is not considered to be related to his military service.