Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were not related to his military service for accrued benefits purposes, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and determining the nature and extent of his eye disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected left forearm scar is not compensable.,There is no evidence of a chronic left shoulder strain/arthropathy that was incurred in service.,Inguinal hernias were not shown in service or for many years following discharge from service, and are not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of infectious hepatitis A.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is service connected as it was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam, despite the use of IV drugs which constitutes willful misconduct. The examiner found additional risk factors from service that do not constitute willful misconduct and related to the current diagnosis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 20 percent since September 16, 2011. The effective date for this rating is set to May 13, 2004.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to the inextricability of the claims for erectile dysfunction and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board denied the service connection claim for hepatitis C as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The right hand disability is secondary to hepatitis C, but a dental disability cannot be established as it does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion, as well as additional development of records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for any pulmonary disability remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Hepatitis C. The VA examiner found that the current diagnosis is less likely than not related to service, but this opinion was deemed incomplete due to lack of explanation regarding air gun inoculations. The case is REMANDED for an addendum examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for Aid and Attendance of another person (A&A) or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by Hepatitis C, which developed due to his military service. The cause of death is therefore granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a skull fracture and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic disability related to any head/skull injury in service and that her pre-existing hepatitis C was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplant. The decision also grants service connection for aortic valve stenosis and esophageal varices as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran claims that his hepatitis C is due to VA dental treatment from 2003 to 2006. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining quality-assurance records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records. The claims of service connection for cause of death, DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151, and DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1318 will be reconsidered after the additional development is completed.

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