Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, but his hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 9, 2002. The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially evaluated as non-compensable but has been rated at 10 percent since December 22, 2010.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board finds that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in October 2016, and thus his claim of service connection for hepatitis C is denied based on lack of evidence. The claim of an initial compensable rating for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by his active duty service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Diabetes Mellitus type 2, and Hepatitis C) have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 2, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, as well as his secondary service connection claims for a thyroid disorder, an upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, and gallstones are being reconsidered. The Board will provide additional development if necessary before deciding the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not attributable to his period of active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to service, including inconsistent accounts of in-service blood exposure. Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to the appellant's assertion that it resulted from the Veteran's own willful misconduct.,The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of in-service blood exposure and concluded his assertions were inconsistent with the available medical records.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is currently rated at 10 percent effective July 31, 2007. The Board finds a higher rating is not warranted for any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, cardiac condition, and alcohol/drug abuse. The cause of death is due to liver cancer and cirrhosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for a right wrist condition, earlier effective date for service connection of a right wrist condition, and service connection for hepatitis and major depressive disorder have been granted. The right wrist condition is rated at 10 percent disabling since October 29, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C is denied as there is no competent evidence showing that the condition was caused by VA medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in line of duty during active service and first manifested during this period, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C infection manifested more than one year after service and was not caused or aggravated by service. The liver abnormalities found during biopsies did not constitute a current disability for which service connection could be granted.