Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C and low back disorder were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's depression and Hepatitis C symptoms have been rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis B, cirrhosis of the liver, and liver cancer are service-connected. Lung cancer is also service-connected as a metastasis of liver cancer. The Veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a medical opinion regarding his allegations of exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a search at the National Personnel Records Center.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve a determination of service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C should be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of in-service hospitalization records and need for supplemental medical opinions regarding hepatitis and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hepatitis C resulted from his voluntary use of intravenous drugs during service, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to compensation for this disability as it was caused by his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's HCV has been manifested by daily fatigue and malaise with hepatomegaly, but not by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, with substantial weight loss (or other indication of malnutrition), and hepatomegaly, or incapacitating episodes; nor does he have a history of one episode of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy. Prior to October 26, 2011, the schedular criteria for a 40 percent rating for HCV have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, but further development is needed to decide the merits of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, but the issue of secondary service connection for bipolar disorder to include as secondary to hepatitis C is not resolved due to lack of a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a comprehensive psychiatric examination to determine the diagnoses of any currently manifested psychiatric disorder(s).

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has these conditions.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for his peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine when this condition resolved, if at all, as well as whether it is related to his military service or service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis C, and thus the claim for service connection for this condition must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability has been granted.,His hepatitis C disability is rated at 20% since December 11, 2012.