Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his military service and is not due to willful misconduct. The VA examiner opined that the hepatitis C is more likely related to substance abuse, specifically cocaine use.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and considering new evidence. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), alcoholism, and hepatitis C were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no provision in VA regulations allowing for an effective date prior to August 17, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis B in service and denied the claim, concluding that current cirrhosis is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected residuals of infectious hepatitis was denied as there is no evidence of a worsening in the condition prior to August 16, 2012.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on moderately severe symptoms. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim was reopened and service connection was granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver and his military service. The VA examiners opined that these conditions are more likely related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which may be associated with hyperlipidemia and obesity.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for hepatitis C, were denied. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to alcoholic cirrhosis, which was caused by alcohol dependence aggravated by PTSD resulting from combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss, which are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred during an eligible period of service, and the Board finds that hepatitis C and cirrhosis did not have their onset in service. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

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

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's amyloidosis of the liver was caused by benzene exposure during military service. As a result, the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, depression, hypertension, gout, and hepatitis C are related to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD is not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hepatitis C claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's exposure to solvents during his period of honorable service from February 1977 to August 1979 contributed to the development of his current cirrhosis, and the Board finds service connection for cirrhosis is warranted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and the need to correct an address error. The case will be returned for further development.