Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities have been rated at 30 percent since April 18, 2013. The claims for service connection for HCV and the clothing allowance or fee dispute are not addressed in this decision.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and did not find continuous symptoms after service. The Veteran's liver conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for COPD and infectious hepatitis were denied as he failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, and it was the primary cause of his death from sepsis.,Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C with associated liver cirrhosis is at least as likely as not incurred during his active service, including exposure to air gun inoculations and getting a tattoo.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim but that the evidence did not establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hand arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, and left foot arthritis. The claim for Hepatitis C was also denied as it is not considered to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, drug dependency, gastrointestinal disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability (excluding PTSD) have been denied. The Veteran's drug dependency is not service-connected as it was the result of willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C had its onset in service and grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and finds that his symptoms are more likely related to his service-connected insomnia and nonservice-connected Hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis B has been shown to be asymptomatic throughout the appeal period, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of record showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his active duty service, or that it was proximately caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hepatitis B or disabling residuals thereof, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve in his leg, polysubstance abuse/addiction, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical records to determine if the appellant has current Hepatitis B related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hepatitis B, with the condition being presumed due to his in-service risk factor of contaminated blood exposure during combat.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.