Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied due to lack of a verified in-service event.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on several issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum to a prior VA examination and ensuring that all requested actions have been completed.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and a report from Dr. Robert W. Theakston.

The Board found that hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not otherwise attributable to service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for thoracic spine disability and hepatitis have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 18, 2008 and as 20 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period based on daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, weight loss, and hepatomegaly.

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

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C and found that the Veteran's in-service accidental needle sticks likely led to his current diagnosis. Service connection was also granted for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as it is considered a radiogenic disease related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to military service, including any possible exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his hepatitis A and C, as well as the current severity of his hepatitis B. The issue of entitlement to service connection for retinal occlusion of the left eye will be held in abeyance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for viral hepatitis and tinea pedis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, a psychiatric disorder including bipolar disorder, and ADHD. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The appellant seeks service connection for a liver disorder, which may be related to in-service exposure or other risk factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including hepatitis C and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for nonservice-connected death pension benefits were not met. The claim for accrued benefits is also denied.