Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C from January 9, 2013 was denied by the Board. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on hepatitis C is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anxiety disorder and Hepatitis B with IBS were denied. The current disability ratings of 30 percent are maintained.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The appeal for an increased rating of hepatitis C is also remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, hepatitis B, anal fissure, and eczema are all found to be service-connected. The sinus disorder and conjunctivitis claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for stomach pains and cramps, leg cramps, hepatitis, and anemia have been reopened. The remaining issues remain on appeal.,High cholesterol is not a compensable disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and remanded it to consider whether new evidence supports a grant of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have HIV, skin disability (claimed as cysts), renal cell cancer, prostate cancer, or hepatitis in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding no nexus to active duty service.

The Veteran's death was caused by or contributed to by his service-connected bronchiectasis, which is considered a component of the COPD that led to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is service connected for accrued benefits purposes, and it was listed as the underlying cause of his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C, as well as a respiratory disorder including emphysema, are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The claims for hepatitis C, posttraumatic stress disorder, and prostate cancer are all related.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to the lapse in time since the last VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II are related to service. However, the claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is being remanded.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim and TDIU claim are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, attributing it to a blood transfusion he received before 1992.

The Veteran's fatal hepatitis C had causal origins with subcutaneous blood exposure during his active combat service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.