Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and thyroid cancer, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding no evidence of in-service exposure or risk factors that could link the current condition to his military service. The claim for reopening a previously denied bipolar disorder was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral eye disability, and hepatitis C have been reopened due to the submission of new medical evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, and he seeks an increased rating. The Board has also remanded the issue of TDIU due to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver resulting from hepatitis C, which developed in the 1990s. The cause is not service-connected.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be asymptomatic prior to March 6, 2010 and manifested by fatigue, low energy level, loss of appetite, and weight loss from March 6, 2010 to October 18, 2011. The disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent during these periods.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in July 2012 was inadequate for purposes of determining service connection. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion from a hepatologist to determine if his current hepatitis C is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The Board finds that his hepatitis C is more likely due to a blood transfusion he received 45 years prior to its diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2005 for a 100 percent rating for hepatitis C with cirrhosis and related conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected chronic hepatitis, finding that the evidence did not support this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to both hands and feet, face and ears, hepatitis C, and hypertension have been denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, and this includes obtaining relevant medical records from Vietnam. The Veteran also needs clarification on whether he still wishes to have a hearing before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issues of increased rating for left knee chondromalacia and TDIU. The Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active duty service, while the nature and severity of his left knee disability need further clarification.

The Veteran's end stage liver disease with hepatitis C was found to be permanently and totally disabling as of May 16, 2000. The appellant is considered a stepchild who has been in the Veteran's household since he married her mother on October [redacted], 1995. Basic eligibility for DEA benefits under Chapter 35 of Title 38 was granted from May 16, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The claim of secondary service connection for anxiety reaction will also be considered.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at a noncompensable level since July 28, 2003. The Board found that the symptoms of fatigue and nausea have not required dietary restriction or continuous medication, but do meet criteria for a 10% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete information and examination, as well as consideration of new evidence.