Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis on a secondary basis. The right and left knee disorders are not considered incurred or aggravated during active service, while the right and left foot disorders have no evidence of onset in service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service connected, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating for PTSD prior to May 28, 2015 or from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, gastrointestinal disorder, and headache disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper hearing notification and scheduling, and the Veteran's request for a local hearing at a VA office.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for residuals of a right ring finger injury, hepatitis A, and dermatophytosis of the left hand were denied by the RO. The effective dates remain January 14, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for hepatitis C with secondary liver cirrhosis since March 31, 2009. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and liver cancer are due to his active service, specifically from airgun immunizations. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all pertinent evidence, including his lay statements regarding in-service inoculations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C. The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and whether it is related to his military service, including air gun inoculations received during service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran and a request for review of such evidence by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 40% prior to November 8, 2014 and at 60% thereafter. The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B is currently not symptomatic and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cirrhosis, bilateral pes planus, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left hand injury, sinus condition, hypertension, hepatitis C, and headaches. The claim for service connection of neck disability was granted but with mixed results (some issues were granted while others were not).

The Veteran's death was caused by a probable myocardial infarction, with underlying causes including hypertension and alcohol liver cirrhosis. The cause of the seizures is unclear, but they are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address whether hepatitis C is etiologically related to active duty service or had its onset during active duty service, specifically due to in-service vaccinations and complaints of upper quadrant pain, malaise, and headaches.