Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hepatitis C and CAD have been granted effective from December 9, 2002. The earlier effective dates for the increased ratings are established.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not service-connected as it is believed to be due to his own drug abuse after service.,Diabetic retinopathy and diabetes mellitus were not diagnosed during the time of the Veteran's death, and thus cannot be service-connected.,Chloracne was found to have been incurred in service based on its recurrence post-service.,Peripheral neuropathy was not service-connected as it is believed to be due to Agent Orange exposure, but there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's need for aid and attendance from another person could not be established.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent from April 29, 2002, and in excess of 60 percent from March 10, 2016 for cirrhosis of the liver with hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis of back disability and hepatitis, and to ascertain their severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is proximately due to his service-connected other specified depressive disorder, other specified anxiety disorder with unspecified other (or unknown) substance-related disorder. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by hepatorenal syndrome, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's PTSD to his military service and determined that alcohol abuse did not arise from service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his cholangiocarcinoma was caused by his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. The DIC benefits claim is dismissed as moot since the cause of death benefit has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, specifically addressing a potential stabbing incident during service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected because his cirrhosis, which led to his death in 2011, was not caused by any condition incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of hepatitis has been denied, as the evidence does not show any active disease. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU due to lack of service-connected disabilities preventing employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and the relationship between cirrhosis of the liver and service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cirrhosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since February 17, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and hepatitis C have been denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C was dismissed due to withdrawal of the issues by the Veteran at his hearing. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee injury was also dismissed as there is no evidence showing that VA's care caused an additional disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis B with hiatal hernia has been rated at 40 percent since May 28, 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of weight loss or hepatomegaly and no incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C because there was no evidence showing he contracted it in service. The new evidence submitted since the last denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding hypertension and hepatitis B, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to the Veteran's death.