Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as there is a known risk factor in-service and indication of current chronic hepatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for PTSD, hiatal hernia, and diverticulitis were all granted.,PTSD is linked to sexual assault and harassment in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's hepatitis C claim and his TDIU claim, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an opinion on whether his hepatitis C is related to service. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the hepatitis C claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C with cirrhosis and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for Raynaud's phenomenon, but the evidence does not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7117.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as well as for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is as likely as not the result of his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis B is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, including as due to claimed residuals of hepatitis in service, is being remanded for further development and medical opinion.

The case is being remanded for further development to corroborate the Veteran's account of hepatitis C exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a supplemental opinion from a VA nurse practitioner.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim of reopening his previously denied service connection for hepatitis has been granted. He is now entitled to a new examination and evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's death in December 2005 was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 or Chapter 35 DEA benefits.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for residuals of hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C, based on credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and searching for any previous rating decisions related to the Veteran's claims.