Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C likely began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of excision of plantar warts of the right foot was granted, with an evaluation in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The effective date is not specified as it is less than the maximum benefit available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasal disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are not related to service or service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of these claims. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no further action can be taken on these issues.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C, and thus the appeal is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for liver condition (Hepatitis C), heart condition, kidney condition, lung condition, back condition, brain damage, and emotional/behavioral problems have all been granted. The claim for meningitis remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not incurred in service or related to his active duty. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues currently before the Board, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent since December 23, 2015. The claim for service connection of Hepatitis C and skin disabilities of the left and right feet are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C is being remanded as well.

The Veteran's infectious hepatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 3, 2008. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia. Service connection for MDD was granted as secondary to infectious hepatitis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his intravenous drug abuse during active service, and as such, he cannot establish service connection due to willful misconduct. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's substance abuse disorder, including alcohol and cocaine abuse, is not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected depression. The Veteran has been diagnosed with hepatitis C, but it is not related to his in-service use of intravenous drugs and/or intranasal cocaine.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C was as likely as not caused by in-service air gun inoculations, and service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss was incurred during active service. The appeal regarding hepatitis was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

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

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated as noncompensable, but a 10 percent rating is granted for the initial evaluation period.