Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

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

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and is granted. His diabetes mellitus, currently rated at 20 percent, remains in effect as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hepatitis. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory condition and Hepatitis C are not service-connected, with no evidence of a direct connection to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability incurred as a result of a colonoscopy performed at the Spokane VAMC on October 15, 2004. The appeal involves new and material evidence that reopened his claim.

The VA determined that there is not enough evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, thus denying his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder substantially contributed to his death from hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatitis c.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hepatitis C, and a lung condition due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again with a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient discussion of medical opinions and potential risk factors for hepatitis C, including intranasal cocaine use. The case is also inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The left ear hearing loss disability and cirrhosis of the liver are rated at noncompensable levels.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for hepatitis C was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased in severity prior to February 15, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for hepatitis C disability and depression has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and left ear hearing loss, as well as whether there is a current disability. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis B was not caused by a VA endoscopy procedure in November 2004, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, all potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss have been rated based on their service-connected status, but the claims for higher ratings are denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his chronic lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service connection claim for the residuals of hepatitis is granted as his in-service diagnosis of hepatitis A is found to be reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.