Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound benefits was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his ability to perform most daily activities with some assistance.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the Board finds that new evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his claimed exposure and stressors, as well as to obtain any outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ will also attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor concerning his service on a burial detail while stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current Hepatitis B disability is related to his military service. Additionally, the Veteran's private treatment records need to be obtained and associated with the record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a medical opinion on symptoms attributable to Hepatitis C and liver transplant residuals. The claim will be adjudicated again after these steps.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is rated at 40 percent since February 19, 2010. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration, which has hampered VA's duty to assist. The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions including head injury, depression, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, substance abuse, genital herpes, hepatitis C, and joint and muscle pain.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the medical issues on appeal.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be the result of an injury in active military service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for hepatitis C from March 15, 2006 to February 12, 2016. The Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for a higher rating on this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, anal fistulas, gall bladder disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatitis C were not incurred in or caused by active service. The back disability was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his in-service exposure and current condition. The Veteran was also found incompetent to handle VA funds due to mental health issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's risk factors for hepatitis C.