Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and an eye disability have been reopened, but denied. The claim seeking increased ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities is remanded due to the passage of time since the last VA examination. The earlier effective date claim for left ankle degenerative joint disease is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current myositis and hepatitis C may be associated with his Vietnam service, triggering VA's duty to provide an examination as to their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling folder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hepatitis B is being remanded due to the inadequacies of a previous VA examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned a disability rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings for lateral instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and for the cause of his death. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether hepatitis C, which contributed to the Veteran's death, was incurred in or related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's liver disability, including cirrhosis and postoperative residuals of a liver transplant, is at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically his exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence in equipoise supports this finding.

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

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and entitlement to burial benefits as the decedent did not have active military, naval, or air service.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis B and C in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's assertions were considered but outweighed by the lack of objective medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service, including exposure from air gun inoculations. As a result, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and chronic otitis externa are not service-connected, but has granted a 10% rating for chronic otitis externa since February 5, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's intravenous drug use was more likely the cause of his condition.,The Board also denied service connection for a brain tumor, concluding that there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Obtain SSA records and associate them with the claims file; (2) Schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of hepatitis C, residuals of left hand injury, and residuals of head injury; (3) Schedule a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability. The case will be returned to the Board after all possible development has been completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing outstanding VA records.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and cirrhosis of the liver, prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU.

The appellant withdrew his appeals for reopening claims of service connection for a low back disability, hepatitis, left knee disability, lung disability, and hypertension. The Board has dismissed these matters as the appeal was withdrawn.

The Veteran's tinnitus and current bilateral hearing loss disability are found to be related to his military service. However, the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed hepatitis disability for which he is seeking service connection.