Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his TBI, hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service personal assault. Service connection was also granted for hepatitis C, with a determination that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hepatitis A and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as a result of service-connected hepatitis A. The Veteran's current cirrhosis is considered less likely than not caused by his service-connected hepatitis A.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and hepatitis C. The Veteran will be asked to provide medical records from any healthcare providers who have treated him since service.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for Hepatitis C. The Veteran's prostate disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with piecemeal necrosis and micronodular cirrhosis was rated at 10 percent prior to May 3, 2007. Since then, the disability has been rated as 60 percent.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was diagnosed during service and the Board has determined that it had its onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and Hepatitis C claims. The appeals are pending further development.

The Veteran's post-operative coxa vara of the right hip is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or daily fatigue.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and renal failure as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to her in-service duties, while her kidney condition is found to be aggravated by her hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the RO to substantially comply with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's service personnel records, including those related to his June 1978 Article 15 charge and counseling sessions, need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hepatitis A and his headaches were not aggravated by service. The claim for hepatitis A is denied, while the claim for headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection as it is considered a chronic disease incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) cannot be determined due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myeloid leukemia, which the VA physician determined is not a B-cell leukemia. The Board finds that there is no link between the immediate or contributory causes of the Veteran's death and his service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's chronic residuals of hepatitis C have been granted service connection as a result of his in-service combat exposure to blood and enemy contact.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been established based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to acoustic trauma during combat, resulting from artillery fire and explosions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear sensorineural hearing loss, HIV and Hep C are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, to include gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of a blood transfusion or other in-service exposure that could have caused the Veteran's hepatitis C. The medical opinions were not supportive of service connection, and the claim is denied.