Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence and provide a medical opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 10 percent, and his athlete's foot is not compensably rated.,During the appeal period, the Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by intermittent fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and weight loss. His athlete's foot covered less than five percent of exposed skin and required topical treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of entitlement and requests for additional records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism is incurred during service, as evidenced by his imprisonment in service. The evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected infectious hepatitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no evidence of recurrence or active disease. The residuals of his left inguinal hernia are also rated as noncompensable.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, but has denied the claim as there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as his hepatitis C was determined to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and specifically ruled out Agent Orange exposure as a contributing factor. The evidence does not support direct service connection for the causes of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic hepatitis C was caused by his willful misconduct, specifically his intravenous drug use during service. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on his increased rating claim for right ankle disability and scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding records and a need to provide an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis B has been granted service connection and is currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis of the right foot is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for hepatitis C.

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

The Board found that there is no evidence of a direct link between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, including any air gun inoculations. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with service.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's hepatitis C from September 18, 1977 to August 15, 2000.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was productive of intermittent right upper quadrant pain prior to June 14, 2012. Since then, he has experienced daily fatigue, arthralgia, and continuous medication without incapacitating episodes or weight loss. The Board found no evidence warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, or hepatitis B as his conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 2002 RO decision. The case is now remanded for further development.