Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C. Additionally, the RO must issue a statement of the case addressing all five issues listed in the June 2009 rating decision.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for bilateral hearing loss or hepatitis, concluding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest due to events in service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected, as none of the listed conditions were shown to be related to military service or pre-service conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding hepatitis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's appeal requires a remand for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at his local RO.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic hepatoma due to hepatitis C, which is linked to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's alcohol dependence and drug abuse were a result of his service-connected PTSD.