Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, hepatitis C, residuals of a concussion, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and bipolar disorder) as there is no evidence demonstrating current diagnoses or showing a link to service.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C. However, it determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The right foot disorder remains at 30 percent disability rating, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,There was also insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C to any service-connected disability.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for Hepatitis C, as well as a determination on whether an increased rating is warranted for the Veteran's dorsolumbar SFW scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes, hypertension, an eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or hepatitis C that is attributable to his period of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, including hepatitis C and NAFLD/NASH, finding that there was no chronic disease in service or at any time thereafter.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected due to his own willful misconduct involving intravenous drug use.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a single VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for hepatitis and PTSD are also being considered as they are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and COPD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis based on new and material evidence, and finds that there is a reasonable possibility that the Veteran's current condition may be related to his in-service illness. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and the claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding no evidence to support a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and hepatitis C. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations, as well as any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by left retroperitoneal hemorrhage, which may have been exacerbated by alcohol-induced thrombocytopenia. The appellant argues that the Veteran should be service-connected for his coronary artery arteriosclerosis due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a causal link between the Veteran's currently manifested hepatitis C and active service or any inservice risk factors, aside from intravenous drug use, which constitutes misconduct.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather a request for a hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset in service and was not caused by or otherwise related to his active military service, but remanded for further development due to an inadequate VA examination. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (remand) and others denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her authorized representative, and thus the case is dismissed.