Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion. The appeal will be considered again after all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and a low back disorder. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left upper arm/shoulder disorder, and dental disorder (for VA outpatient treatment purposes). The appeal is pending on the issue of service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated as 10 percent disabling. After review of the evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board finds that a 40 percent rating is warranted due to near-constant debilitating symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion and new contentions from the Veteran's representative. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's drug abuse, which is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, caused his hepatitis B and C.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was rated at 20 percent prior to April 24, 2013 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran is not unemployable due solely to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but it is unclear whether the new evidence supports or contradicts the original denial. The appellant contends that her husband's liver cancer was related to dental procedures in service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, leading to denial of both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hepatitis B is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the evaluation for diabetes mellitus, a compensable evaluation from November 17, 2005 to November 16, 2007, and TDIU from November 17, 2005 to August 23, 2011 are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, skin cancer, and PVD. The claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was also denied.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, pes planus, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for hepatitis and spinal meningitis as there is no evidence of current disabilities during or proximate to the appeal period.,For the remaining issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diverticulitis, and a prostate condition, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially rated at 10% and later increased to 20%, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's fibrosis of the liver and its relationship to his service-connected hepatitis C. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C but denied service connection for a thyroid disorder, finding that the current thyroid condition is not etiologically related to active service and was not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board finds that the evidence is in at least equipoise that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, specifically an in-service tattoo. As such, service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the appeal for hepatitis C has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for Hepatitis C is being reviewed again with additional evidence.