Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected.,Hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C, as well as his back disability with leg sciatica. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to locate the Veteran's service treatment records and provide proper notice. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Sleep Apnea and Hepatitis C, finding no evidence linking the conditions to service or any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C was denied in February 2015. The Veteran withdrew the appeal on April 21, 2017, and VA received a new intent to file a claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C on December 6, 2017. A 100% rating was assigned effective from December 6, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for vision impairment of the right eye and Hepatitis C have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, specifically related to its onset during service. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion considering the Veteran's exposure to blood from wounded soldiers in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot injury due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for other conditions are being remanded as they involve issues related to the reopening of the right foot injury claim.

The appeal for service connection of hepatitis C is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from active duty and is not otherwise related to his active duty service.,The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to March 21, 2012. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was initially contracted during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition after resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and psychiatric disorders, as well as outstanding medical records from his 1995 myocardial infarction treatment. The AOJ is required to obtain these records and provide a new opinion on service connection.

The Veteran's death was used as a basis for substituting the appellant in his pending claims. The Board also found that additional VA treatment records from October 2005 to August 2011 are needed, and TDIU notice is required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and chronic ethanol abuse with cirrhosis, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's PFB, athlete’s foot, and toenail condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's gout has been denied as there is no functional impairment resulting from the disability.,Service connection for residuals of any type of hepatitis (other than Hepatitis C) and thyroid condition has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C and Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was caused or worsened by VA treatment. The RO must obtain an appropriate medical opinion and attempt to obtain SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD and liver transplant claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence, while the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.