Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a hearing, and the case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for various knee conditions, arthritis, and Bell's palsy. Additionally, the Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammer toe, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, left ankle arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and hepatitis C. The appeal is being remanded to allow for a new hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for an eye condition characterized as left eye macular scar and bilateral cataracts secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's current percentage of impairment caused by his nonservice-connected disabilities, including spondylosis and any newly diagnosed conditions such as an enlarged prostate. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a liver disability, including cirrhosis with esophageal varices. The case is being remanded due to the need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of her liver disability.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the Veteran's local RO and sending the hearing notice to his correct address in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to have been incurred in service, with doubt resolved in his favor. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and respiratory disorders (COPD and residuals of pneumonia), which are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service or service-connected condition, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C or cirrhosis, while the Veteran was on active duty or for many years thereafter. The Veteran's main contentions regarding his liver disease and residual complications being related to events during service were not supported by medical opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as her symptoms were limited to daily fatigue and malaise without weight loss or hepatomegaly, requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, liver disease, residuals of a head injury, and psychiatric disability. The decision also reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss but found no new and material evidence to support reopening the other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent, effective September 27, 2012. The right knee disability was also granted a higher evaluation to 20 percent effective October 2, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to a VLJ not participating in the hearing and scheduling a new hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from August 20, 2007 to January 25, 2011. From January 26, 2011, the criteria for a 70 percent schedular disability rating were met.

The Veteran's prostate condition, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.