Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for a VA examination regarding his claimed conditions, including hepatitis C, bilateral shoulder disorder, upper extremity disorders, lower extremity disorders, restless legs syndrome, and fatigue and sleep apnea. The claims are related to secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and chronic residuals of a motor vehicle accident, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

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

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for chronic generalized rash, service connection for asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, and alcohol dependence with depression. The evidence did not show that any increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the receipt of his claim on May 2, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, and grants service connection for this condition.,There is no probative evidence in support of a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hepatitis C, as there is no credible evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain evidence supporting his claims of service connection for various conditions, including skin disorder, gout, hepatitis C, left knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, and generalized arthritis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain prior to March 7, 2014. However, there was no substantial weight loss or hepatomegaly.,From March 7, 2014, the Veteran experienced ongoing daily symptoms of fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain, which required her to use approximately 80 hours of sick leave at work and adjust her work schedule. However, these symptoms did not result in near-constant debilitating symptoms or prevent her from maintaining employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his period of active service. Service connection for hepatitis C was not addressed due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly prior to October 10, 2012. He did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he had no evidence of substantial weight loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory arrest due to hepatorenal failure, was found to be caused by his service-connected chronic active hepatitis B. As this condition is considered new and material evidence related to the Veteran's service, it has been granted as a basis for service connection.

The Veteran does not have hepatitis C attributable to his period of active service and the claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C infection is not related to his active military service and denied his claim.

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 hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver was not received by VA until December 22, 2009. Therefore, an effective date earlier than that date cannot be granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to have its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD; left shoulder disability; hepatitis C; and diabetes mellitus. The Board found no probative value in the Veteran's allegations of an in-service injury that resulted in chronic disabilities.