Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and recurrent callus formation of the right foot.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees was denied as the notice of disagreement regarding service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis A, B, and C, and TDIU were not received prior to June 20, 2007. The appellant is therefore barred from charging the Veteran attorney fees with regard to these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lung condition, hepatitis A or B infection, or erectile dysfunction related to his service. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA medical examiner regarding his alleged exposure to blood and self-administered tattoo.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error and will provide an opportunity for the Veteran to present testimony at a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatocellular cancer, which developed as a result of hepatitis C, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The appeal is not yet decided.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss during the June 2010 Board hearing. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis, which caused his death, was incurred in service due to blood transfusions and morphine injections during combat.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the progression of his hepatitis C with cirrhosis and potential development of hepatocellular carcinoma. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, including any new symptoms or complications.

The Board has restored the Veteran's special monthly pension benefits based on the need of aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including left transtibial amputation, HIV infection, hepatitis B and C, and seizures. The reduction in benefits was not warranted as there is no evidence of improvement in the Veteran's condition during the period from June 1, 2009 to November 4, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, an acquired psychiatric disability, corns of the right foot, hypertension, hepatitis A and B, and a prostate disorder. The evidence did not establish any current disabilities or link them to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hepatitis B and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis B under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 was denied, and his diabetes mellitus type II service connection claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II but did not establish service connection.