Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

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.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease, but has remanded the issue of hepatitis C. The Board also found that there is no evidence of ischemic heart disease prior to December 29, 2003.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with cirrhosis is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent. The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but not higher.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist and right-hand conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory condition (due to asbestosis exposure), hepatitis C, deep muscle pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not caused by any disability incurred in or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected, with the effective date set at January 23, 1977.,Service connection for verruca plantaris and left hand degenerative arthritis (left hand condition) are denied. Service connection for hepatitis C remains denied.