Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

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

The Board found that hepatitis C was not present during service and is not etiologically related to any incident of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis was dismissed. The Board granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease had its onset in service.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute bronchopneumonia, with other conditions contributing to his death but not resulting in the underlying cause. The Board found no evidence supporting a claim of VA treatment causing or aggravating the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily PTSD and hepatitis C, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, a gynecological infection disability (PID), and uterine fibroids. The Veteran's statements suggest that these conditions may be related to in-service events.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of a causal link to military service or exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claim was decided on the merits.

The Veteran claims service connection for hepatitis C. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed hepatitis C, which may be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his hepatitis C and hypertension, as well as to obtain a nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of a stressor or a causal link to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hepatic disorder, but granted service connection for infectious hepatitis (previously claimed). The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a retrospective medical evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability and a supplemental clinical opinion regarding his service connection claim for Hepatitis C. The issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

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

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's liver cancer, as it was not addressed in the July 2013 VA examination despite being related to military service.

The Veteran's liver disorder, including hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, as well as his dizziness or fatigue, are not shown to be related to service. The Board finds that these conditions may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an updated VA examination and consideration of whether to refer the case for extraschedular TDIU consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's hepatitis B and C are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected malaria. His initial compensable rating for malaria is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical examination and consideration of all theories of exposure, including his service as a hospital corpsman. The issue of entitlement to a permanent and total disability evaluation based on pension purposes has been withdrawn by the appellant.