Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to active Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support a connection to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for herpes, optic nerve damage, hepatitis A, B, C, gallstones, bronchitis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, HIV/AIDS, peripheral neuropathy and hypertension have not been met. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for depressive disorder is granted, as his depression began in approximately 2003 when he started Interferon treatment for his hepatitis B.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or near-constant debilitating symptoms.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not manifested by minor weight loss and hepatomegaly, nor did she have incapacitating episodes lasting at least four weeks. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned effective from August 29, 2005. The decision does not specify the exact date of effectiveness for the new rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a left kidney malignant neoplasm and hepatitis B, finding new and material evidence. The kidney disorder is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, while hepatitis B may also be associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for hepatitis C under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to exposure at the Miami VA Medical Center in 2004-2005. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if he was participating in an approved rehabilitation program or compensated work therapy program and, if so, whether his hepatitis C is proximately caused by his employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hepatitis C and whether it was caused or aggravated by medication used to treat his service-connected arthritis and psoriasis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a personal hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and for a psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of residuals of colon cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and gallstones are related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding records and securing medical opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 100 percent prior to November 13, 2008, and the Board granted a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is moot as the hepatitis C rating has been increased.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to determine the etiology of his hepatitis C, psychiatric disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to exposure to the blood during active military service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left arm tremor and chronic myeloid leukemia were deferred in previous decisions but are now being addressed.