Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the result of VA medical treatment is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as the October 2012 VA opinion did not address his in-service risk factor of receiving a tattoo. The case is therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage renal disease and liver failure, but there is no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and his active service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially evaluated as noncompensable prior to March 21, 2012. On and after that date, the evidence shows cirrhosis of the liver resulting in abdominal pain but no other symptoms. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for his hepatitis C with cirrhosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service and therefore denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis claims are granted. The PTSD claim is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for alcoholic liver cirrhosis secondary to PTSD was dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a blood disorder (thrombocytopenia with pancytopenia and chronic cholelithiasis) was denied.

The Veteran's current hepatitis C is found to be related to his in-service sexual activity, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were denied. The Board found that the March 2009 denial of PTSD was not final, but his claim to reopen this denial is considered a downstream issue which does not require VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to tuberculosis, hepatitis C, or hepatitis A and B. The positive PPD test is considered a laboratory finding rather than a compensable disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of his impotence. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the case can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding potential causes of death, including whether service-connected left knee disability and nonservice-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension were principal or contributory causes of death. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current hepatitis C disability and considering whether hepatitis C is an additional disability resulting from VA treatment in 2009. The issue of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right ankle disability and hepatitis C as a result of treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2009 must also be remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of Hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service exposure or causation.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by liver cirrhosis due to or as a consequence of chronic alcoholism, and service connection for this cause is not warranted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board is remanding the case for a more detailed evaluation to determine if his condition warrants an increased rating.