Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran died from acute coronary insufficiency, which may be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted with an initial rating of 50 percent effective February 23, 2005. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating and earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of death and whether service connection should be granted for the Veteran's conditions, including consideration for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C with hepatic cirrhosis has been granted. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of hepatitis C is secondary to hepatitis C in service, and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's address. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, entitlement to an effective date prior to December 4, 2009, and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of service connection for flat feet, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and headaches have also been denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, but denied it on the merits.,Service connection for hepatitis C was not granted as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new claims and issues not previously addressed, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of traumatic brain injury, malignant growths of the genitourinary system, and reopening of claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis and paralysis from the chest down, prostate and bladder disorders, blood disorder, lung disorder (including emphysema and COPD), hepatitis C, heart disorder, and Meniere's disease. The decision found that these conditions were not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a greenhouse under the VR&E Independent Living Program is granted as it approximates the criteria, given his service-connected conditions and need for independence in daily living activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis B is related to his service, specifically engaging in high-risk sexual activity in South East Asia during his active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for hepatitis B is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and a compensable disability rating for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and bilateral eye disorders. The decision found no current evidence of hepatitis or a current diagnosis of thoracic lordosis. It also determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's back disorder and his active duty service. The Board denied service connection for bilateral eye disorders as well.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of the low back disability remains denied, as does his claim for TDIU due to hepatitis C.

The Board granted service connection for Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and cryptogenic cirrhosis, finding that the Veteran's conditions were more likely than not related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.,Service connection was established based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents due to service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder and right hand disorder, both on secondary basis to his hepatitis C. The Veteran does not have a current dental disability for which VA compensation benefits are payable.

The Board denied service connection for meningitis and hepatitis C, finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition and that the Veteran's hepatitis C was more likely related to post-service drug use than his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA and USPS records. The claim for an increased rating on the basis of TDIU will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic disability pattern and the examiner opined that they were not incurred in or caused by service.,The Veteran's hepatitis C was likely due to his own drug use, rather than service.