Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, including any potential herbicide exposure. The VA clinician provided an opinion concluding it less likely than not that the Veteran's hepatitis C began in or was otherwise the result of military exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C (HCV) is denied. The decision is based on the lack of clear and unmistakable evidence showing that HCV existed prior to service, and also due to insufficient medical findings and opinions regarding the risk factors for contracting HCV.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cirrhosis and hepatitis C, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, including chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease and/or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of viral hepatitis or other active liver condition related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a liver disorder, previously claimed as due to his service-connected anxiety disorder, is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduled hearing at VA's Central Office in Washington, DC. The Veteran requested a videoconference hearing instead.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no credible evidence of a link between his in-service exposure and the current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, rash on penis (claimed as genital herpes), circumcision of phimosis due to venereal warts, penis, osteophytes in the lumbar spine, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was evaluated as 20 percent disabling from March 29, 2006 through January 21, 2015. The symptoms included daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia without weight loss or hepatomegaly, but with incapacitating episodes lasting less than two weeks.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since November 2006. Effective August 2015, the rating is increased to 40 percent.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as not due to herbicide exposure or being secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection for hepatitis A has been denied.,Service connection for a skin disorder has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and trypanophobia) has been denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD, but the Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to PTSD remains pending.,Service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD has not been established.,TDIU was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis and cirrhosis, finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing and because two of his claims may be affected by the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and his hepatitis C is presumed to be related to service. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish direct service connection for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to a risk factor of receiving blood transfusions during active military service. The claim for psychosis was denied as there was no qualifying wartime service period under which the benefit could be sought. Service connection for PTSD and depression is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric condition to service. The claims for heart condition and hepatitis C are also denied as there is insufficient evidence to support their connection to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI and Hepatitis C are not related to service, while partial complex seizures have been denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to address his claims for hepatitis B and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated in service, and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board has denied the claim of service connection for hepatitis C.