Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's hepatitis B is currently rated at 10 percent effective July 31, 2007. The Board finds a higher rating is not warranted for any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, cardiac condition, and alcohol/drug abuse. The cause of death is due to liver cancer and cirrhosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for a right wrist condition, earlier effective date for service connection of a right wrist condition, and service connection for hepatitis and major depressive disorder have been granted. The right wrist condition is rated at 10 percent disabling since October 29, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C is denied as there is no competent evidence showing that the condition was caused by VA medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in line of duty during active service and first manifested during this period, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C infection manifested more than one year after service and was not caused or aggravated by service. The liver abnormalities found during biopsies did not constitute a current disability for which service connection could be granted.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not related to service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's Hepatitis B disability.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A and B is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of hepatitis A or B related to active service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II secondary to hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not resulted in fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly requiring dietary restrictions or continuous medication. The Veteran does not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU due to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was diagnosed during service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran has a combined disability rating of 80% due to his service-connected disabilities, which qualifies him for TDIU consideration. After review of his employment history and current functional limitations, the Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, as it was diagnosed many years after discharge and no evidence supports a link between in-service exposure to blood products and current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with an August 2016 Memorandum Decision, which found that two inadequate VA examinations were used in the July 2014 decision denying service connection for hepatitis C. The AOJ is required to obtain SSA records and provide a new addendum opinion from the October 2010 examiner or another qualified VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or related to active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and a skin disorder are pending.