Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current hepatitis C is found to have had its onset in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have onset in service and there is no competent evidence linking it to his active military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and associated pneumothorax were not determined to be caused by VA care, resulting in a denial of compensation benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hepatitis C cirrhosis, which was caused by his service-connected PTSD and secondary to alcohol and IV drug abuse.

The Board has determined that the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is inextricably intertwined with the informal claim for an increased rating for service-connected depression. The RO must adjudicate both claims before proceeding further.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding his in-service risk factors.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and review of service treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has found that further development is required regarding the underlying service connection claim for hepatitis C, and the case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with another opportunity to report for a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his active military service. His claim for hepatitis B compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA endoscopy procedure remains pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 20 percent since June 18, 2004. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's HCV caused intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia from November 5, 2001 to December 31, 2004. Since January 1, 2005, his HCV has been essentially asymptomatic.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee degenerative joint disease, a low back disability, hemangiomas (claimed as brain and spinal tumors), headaches, hepatitis C, and a respiratory disorder, have been denied. The appeal is based on new evidence received to reopen service connection for a low back disability.

The appellant's non-service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C rated at 40 percent, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total rating for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of in-service events or risk factors that could have caused these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to gastrointestinal bleeding (varices) and hepatitis C, as well as TDIU prior to death. The Veteran's right eye Horner's syndrome with ptosis and cortical bone cyst were not found to be related to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, liver disability, duodenal disability, COPD, throat condition with polyps, and dysentery. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus and related disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's loss of use of both lower extremities due to his service-connected disabilities warrants specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the January 2013 VA examiner's opinion regarding the onset of hepatitis C during service or its cause. The Veteran's claim is now pending again.