Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for hepatitis B was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The Board found in favor of the Veteran on his service connection claim for tinnitus, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to substantiate his claims of service connection for Hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying claimed risk factors and obtaining VA outpatient records. A VA examination is also required to determine if hepatitis C was incurred in service.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties to notify and assist, including obtaining SSA records and securing all relevant treatment records. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim will be remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service. His PTSD and major depressive disorder rating and TDIU claims will also be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right arm fracture, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability and there was no evidence of an in-service event or disease. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disabilities do not warrant the requested increased ratings or TDIU prior to September 17, 2013. The thoracolumbar spine and skin disabilities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical evidence.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU and has been reasonably shown not to be able to engage in substantial gainful employment due to his combination of service-connected disabilities, considered in conjunction with his education level and prior work experience.

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

The Board has determined that the February 26, 1992 and January 15, 1993 rating decisions denying service connection for hepatitis and seizures, respectively, do not contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, meningitis, and hepatitis were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service. The Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension limit.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was incurred during his active military service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all pending appeals, including those for service connection for nightmares and increased rating for PTSD, as well as reopening of previously denied claims for hepatitis, skin rash, stress fracture residuals, fragment wounds, and recurrent back pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss or an increased rating for tinnitus, and denied all other claims.