Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing due to his request and current circumstances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and thus no new and material evidence has been received.

The Board found no current diagnosis of hepatitis C in the Veteran's medical records, leading to a denial of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a clarifying opinion regarding secondary service connection and issuance of an SOC in the matters of an initial increased rating for hypertension and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hepatitis C.,There is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated as noncompensable prior to November 17, 2011, and as 20 percent disabling from that day forward. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating at any time during this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing at the Cincinnati, Ohio, VA Medical Center. The issues include service connection for liver disorder and hypertension due to herbicide exposure, as well as an initial rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is found to be service-connected. The initial ratings for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are granted, but with some issues still pending.

The Veteran's viral hepatitis (hepatitis A positive) was granted a compensable rating prior to March 6, 2014. Service connection for hepatitis B and C were also established.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a pulmonary disorder (bronchitis) are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C with anemia. The Board finds that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, effective October 24, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with polysubstance abuse. For the initial rating period, the Veteran is assigned a 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus requiring insulin and restricted diet.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active duty service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. The claims for hepatitis C, bilateral foot disabilities, and head injury residuals are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis, vasovagal attack with asystole, or respiratory disorder (claimed as granulomatous disease) and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, including hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to air gun inoculations during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for damage to Muscle Groups I & II were denied. The claim for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was also denied, as the evidence did not show loss of use due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is moot since the Veteran's PTSD alone precludes substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis have been rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent since September 20, 2012. He is also entitled to SMC based on housebound status.