Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's bile duct cancer is as likely as not related to his in-service treatment for infectious viral hepatitis and liver fluke exposure. The appeal for service connection for residuals of infectious viral hepatitis, including bile duct cancer, is granted. However, the heart disorder claim requires further investigation due to potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound was denied. The Board has decided the case should be remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding his functional limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, IBS, and a hiatal hernia are all denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied with an initial compensable rating. Service connection for PTSD is also denied as the claimant does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C may be related to his service, but needs further review by an infectious disease specialist to determine this.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of enlistment in the United States Navy. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded to obtain a supplemental VA opinion.

The Board has decided that the claims for hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorders need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information from a previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its impact on his employability during the specified period. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of Hepatitis C, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as the evidence did not support an in-service exposure and multiple other risk factors were present both before and after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the hepatitis C claim, and his PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), low back condition, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder, and cirrhosis of the liver claims were all denied due to lack of a causal relationship between service and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. Another opinion is needed from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and gallbladder removal, finding that further development is needed to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. However, the Board found that his PTSD, a service-connected condition, may have contributed to his liver disease and thus caused or materially contributed to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis and remanded it to allow for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the veteran's current skin disability is related to his in-service treatment for hepatitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his in-service hospitalization and his current diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board concluded that the most credible evidence indicates that the Veteran's hepatitis C was likely due to intranasal drug use post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision condition and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw them.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, burn scar of the chin, hepatitis, and initial compensable ratings for burn scars on various body parts are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to internal inconsistencies in previous medical opinions and a need for further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be obtained and an addendum medical opinion is required regarding the relationship between obesity, service-connected disabilities, and the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's authorized representative requesting withdrawal of all issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits. The Veteran was found to have maintained full-time employment throughout his claim period, with no evidence of permanent total disability due to his conditions.