Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cirrhosis of the liver materially contributed to his death from probable vascular dementia, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and its impact on his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as he did not have any service-connected conditions at the time of his death. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was cirrhosis of the liver, which is attributed to alcoholism and not related to his military service.

Your case is being sent back to the agency for them to consider additional VA treatment records. They will then decide if you can reopen your claims for low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for liver conditions, including hepatitis C, and the cause of death due to hepatic failure and hepatocellular cancer. The decision is based on evidence that the Veteran's exposure to blood and bodily fluids during his military service in Vietnam was a likely cause of his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B; cholesterol disorder; kidney disorder; and thyroid disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the inability to schedule VA examinations. The issues of skin disorder of the feet, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 21, 2009. The Veteran's Hepatitis C remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left hand disability, and left wrist disability have been shown to prevent him from obtaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is denied as the evidence does not show intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia or incapacitating episodes. The posttraumatic stress disorder claim is remanded for a VA examination to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic residuals of hepatitis is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the claim for a rating increase for left hip replacement and remanded the issue of service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA clinical records, VCAA notice, and a VA examination. The Veteran's hepatitis C and hepatic steatosis may be associated with his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C is related to an in-service blood transfusion. The case was remanded for additional development regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver. The Veteran was exposed to hepatitis A during service, but there is no current nexus between his current diagnosis and in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Appellant's claim for entitlement to benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a liver condition, and instructions are given to obtain a new medical opinion.