Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia originated during her active service and is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for hepatitis C remains pending as additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis B and hepatitis C due to a need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, pneumonia, and dysentery were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a diagnosed disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR) that vacated the Board's decision as to the issue of entitlement service connection for a liver disorder, to include hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hepatitis C was denied as the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed condition.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and other conditions due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension, musculoskeletal condition, liver condition/cirrhosis, macular degeneration with glaucoma of the right eye, or loss of vision of the left eye as there was no established service connection.,The Board also denied reopening of service connection for CAD and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. For the fracture of the right metatarsal with degenerative changes, a 10 percent evaluation was granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for fatigue has been dismissed.,Service connection is granted for autoimmune hepatitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and an eye disability have been reopened, but denied. The claim seeking increased ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities is remanded due to the passage of time since the last VA examination. The earlier effective date claim for left ankle degenerative joint disease is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current myositis and hepatitis C may be associated with his Vietnam service, triggering VA's duty to provide an examination as to their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling folder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hepatitis B is being remanded due to the inadequacies of a previous VA examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned a disability rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings for lateral instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and for the cause of his death. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether hepatitis C, which contributed to the Veteran's death, was incurred in or related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's liver disability, including cirrhosis and postoperative residuals of a liver transplant, is at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically his exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence in equipoise supports this finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused or aggravated by his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and entitlement to burial benefits as the decedent did not have active military, naval, or air service.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis B and C in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's assertions were considered but outweighed by the lack of objective medical evidence.