Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to procedural defects, including the failure to issue a statement of the case for his disagreement with assigned evaluations and earlier effective dates. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated in conjunction with these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C was not manifest during active service or within one year following service, and is not shown to be otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus was found to be aggravated by his wartime service, and hepatitis C is attributable to blood splatter during combat service. Both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's claims for HIV, Hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's death was due to hepato-renal syndrome caused by hepatitis C, which in turn was a consequence of his service-connected seizure disorder. The Board has granted DIC benefits and burial benefits at the service-connected rate based on this finding.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C and nasal disorder are not related to his active service, as there is no direct evidence of these conditions during service. The examiner opined that it would be speculative to determine if the Veteran had hepatitis C in 1973 or if this was the cause of his current hepatitis C diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C disability is at least as likely as not incurred during his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's death was caused by gastric cancer, which may be related to service exposure. The appellant seeks recognition of her son as a helpless child and pension benefits due to the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions and SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms have not been severe enough to warrant an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's death was caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation, sepsis, cirrhosis, and alcoholism. The cause of his Hepatitis C infection is believed to be related to his active military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, specifically whether it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, C and liver disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected as it is due to his own willful misconduct, specifically intravenous drug use during service and intranasal cocaine use after service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and heart disability. The Veteran's statements were deemed insufficient to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, as well as the reopening of a claim for hepatitis C on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of malaria and denied service connection for hepatitis B.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for HCV, based on the Veteran's reported risk factors during service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to decide the claim for hepatitis C, as there is evidence suggesting in-service exposure. The Veteran's current treatment records and any private health care provider records should be obtained.