Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the claim of service connection for hepatitis C must be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver, which is presumed for former POWs. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C and service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C have been remanded due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and an enlarged liver as the evidence did not show a current disability or that any disability was related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disorder, hepatitis B and/or C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder with alcohol dependence) have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of active symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for oriental cholangiohepatitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting that the service treatment records did not show any findings consistent with bacterial infestation or OCH. The medical opinions provided were considered insufficient to establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C due to the Veteran's willful misconduct. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent, as it is already the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The psychiatric disorder claim and hearing loss rating are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 13, 2010 for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran required regular aid and attendance from that date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, respiratory condition, sleep apnea, cirrhosis of the liver, headaches, and dementia.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim that his current diagnosis is related to in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current liver disorder, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, is likely attributable to his service in the 1970s. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C and chronic liver disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or any medication taken for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability was reopened, and his hepatitis C rating was increased to 60 percent effective from the date of the examination. The Veteran had experienced incapacitating episodes lasting at least six weeks over the past year.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for hepatitis C and depression is granted. The claim for service connection for shoulder disability is denied, but the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,Additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's hepatitis C residuals are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for an updated examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and a TDIU due to lack of service-connected disabilities, despite the Veteran's claim that his hepatitis C was caused by an air gun inoculation in service. The Board found that the Veteran's drug use during service constituted willful misconduct, which barred him from establishing service connection.