Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and service treatment records, as well as conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis types A and B have been asymptomatic with no incapacitating episodes, thus denying an initial compensable rating. The service connection claim for residuals of a left leg injury was also denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for Hepatitis C and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no decisions were made regarding the claims.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, which is not service-connected. Claims for diabetes and lung cancer were pending at the time of his death but are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected biliary cancer, which caused his death in November 2008, is found to be related to his military service due to exposure to liver flukes during his time in Vietnam and Korea. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, DIC compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and accrued benefits for hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service or VA treatment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and PTSD, but denied all other issues on appeal.,A new rating decision is needed to assign a disability rating for keratosis punctata of the bilateral hands.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C to his active duty service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and hepatitis are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection for COPD was denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, which prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.