Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Board found that hepatitis C was not related to service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's Hepatitis B disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A and B is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of hepatitis A or B related to active service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II secondary to hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not resulted in fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly requiring dietary restrictions or continuous medication. The Veteran does not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU due to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was diagnosed during service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran has a combined disability rating of 80% due to his service-connected disabilities, which qualifies him for TDIU consideration. After review of his employment history and current functional limitations, the Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, as it was diagnosed many years after discharge and no evidence supports a link between in-service exposure to blood products and current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with an August 2016 Memorandum Decision, which found that two inadequate VA examinations were used in the July 2014 decision denying service connection for hepatitis C. The AOJ is required to obtain SSA records and provide a new addendum opinion from the October 2010 examiner or another qualified VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or related to active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and a skin disorder are pending.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic liver disorder or hepatitis C during the appeal period and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for his left ankle disorder, hepatitis B, neck disorder, low back disorder, headaches, and nerve disorder in upper extremities. The character of discharge under other than honorable conditions barred VA compensation benefits for these disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, which he claims is a residual of hepatitis. He also asserts that his diabetes is due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and a liver condition as secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for vertigo and an increased rating for hepatitis C are pending.

The Veteran's appeal to the denial of service connection for hepatitis C was not timely filed, and his claim is denied.

The Board found no current diagnosis of hepatitis B and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected alcoholism, which is now considered a contributory cause of death. The appellant qualifies for additional burial benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria has been withdrawn. The Board is remanding the case to obtain records of his treatment by Dr. Alan and to provide a VA physician with an opinion regarding whether he developed hepatitis C as a result of in-service risk factors or if there is any relationship between the hepatitis A identified shortly after service and the current hepatitis C.