Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a liver disability (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's liver disease and COPD were not service-connected, as the evidence did not establish a direct link to his military service or any other compensable condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues are whether he has service connection for residuals of 'jungle fever', malaria, hepatitis, and a hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is at least as likely as not due to his exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's gallstones and bowel disability are not service-connected, as they are considered to be secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. The Board denied these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating. The issue of TDIU prior to May 1, 2013, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis for hepatitis C, a heart disorder claimed as chest pain, or gunshot wound residuals of the right foot. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right knee disability and Hepatitis C. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as a ganglion cyst, warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent. The Board has granted service connection for this condition and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his hepatitis C, are related to service. The claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C.