Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that hepatitis C is etiologically related to the Veteran's service, specifically his tattoos during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a Statement of the Case for the new and material evidence issues, as instructed in the March 2016 decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability, including Hepatitis C and hepatic steatosis. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a rescheduled hearing. The claims of hepatitis B, liver damage secondary to hepatitis B, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety) are still pending.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C, diagnosed more than thirty years after separation from service, is causally related to, or aggravated by, active service. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lung disability or hepatitis C related to his active duty service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his bilateral foot fungus and service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and is not related to active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's HCC, kidney spleen shunt, and hepatitis B are not related to his active service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and recurrent calluses of the right foot are found to be related to service-connected conditions. The claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis C resulting from a VA surgical procedure in September 2005 was denied, as the evidence did not establish that his hepatitis C was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of the VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records from private providers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion and to consider whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of Hepatitis.

The Veteran's alcohol and substance abuse are related to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorders, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's HCV is likely due to his service, specifically the use of an air gun for inoculations. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim of hepatitis C service connection is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis B was denied, and his claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to October 20, 2014, and for a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter were also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40% and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted for this condition. The Veteran was also granted service connection for Hepatitis C, an upper back disorder as secondary to degenerative disc disease (DDD), and upper extremity pain as secondary to a service connected right wrist disability.