Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and liver transplant. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum medical opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether in-service air gun inoculations contributed to his current condition.

The Veteran likely has PTSD that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical nexus opinion and failure to obtain relevant private treatment records. The Veteran's liver disability, including autoimmune hepatitis, is being reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the impact of his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver on his employability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred during his military service and is therefore granted. The issue of a higher rating for the right leg fracture with knee disability prior to March 18, 2010 remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hepatitis C with cirrhosis, sleep apnea, and a chronic headache disorder have all been granted. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis C due to a blood transfusion in May 1980 was denied, and her service connection claim for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was previously rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2008, and has remained at that level since. The claim is being dismissed as the criteria for an increased evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 40 percent effective from June 12, 2009. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Board found no residuals of past infections with hepatitis A and B, thus denying the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur an injury during military service that caused current testicular atrophy or pain, and thus denied his claim for residuals of a groin injury. The hepatitis C claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's pes planus and hepatitis C are also found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are credible and supported by evidence. The diagnoses of PTSD and hepatitis C have been established post-service, with a link to in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease, claimed as a stomach disorder, and hepatitis C, secondary to service-connected Crohn's disease.

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