Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was attributed to intraoperative bleeding due to splenectomy, which was not caused by his service-connected conditions. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's liver disability, including hepatitis and steatosis and fatty liver disease, had its onset during his active duty service. The Board also found that the evidence supports a finding of an in-service incurrence of a disease or injury for obstructive sleep apnea prior to May 13, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and Hepatitis A vaccination residuals are not related to his service.,Both conditions were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury leading to these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's exposure to risk factors for hepatitis C in service and to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding his claimed service connection. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during his active service, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected renal calculi.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2004 for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance was denied as there was no earlier ascertainable increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and medical opinions regarding his hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is more likely than not related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is not related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is no evidence of a respiratory disorder related to service, and the Veteran's pulmonary nodule is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and a muscle condition was granted. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including those presumed due to in-service radiation exposure, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected viral hepatitis was granted an increased rating, and her PTSD claim for service connection was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for left hand disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for Hepatitis C and Diabetes Mellitus.

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

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain SSA records and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's liver condition and autoimmune hepatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and is granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2006 to January 3, 2007. As of January 4, 2007, the rating for cirrhosis alone increased to 70 percent effective December 15, 2009.