Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran died from end stage liver disease, hepatitis C and cirrhosis. The Board found that these conditions were not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar arthritis, right hip arthritis, and Hepatitis C based on the evidence being evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and post-operative residuals of a right shoulder injury have been granted service connection. The rating for the right shoulder injury has not met the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing service medical records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and laboratory test results for hepatitis C. The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the exact etiology is unclear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran contracted hepatitis C during active duty due to a blood transfusion for a bleeding ulcer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current liver disability, diagnosed as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with cirrhosis, is causally related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and therefore grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 20 percent prior to May 1, 2011, based on the presence of daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia requiring continuous medication.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and concluded that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service, including exposure to blood from wounded soldiers. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with mild inflammation and stage 1 fibrosis has been rated at 20 percent since August 14, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms have not more than met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral heel spurs, bilateral knee disability, left foot disability, and bilateral shoulder disability as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver was not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found no evidence linking his current condition to any in-service event.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 20 percent effective June 24, 2015. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

For the period October 8, 2010 to September 9, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms no greater than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to depressed mood, anxiety, hypervigilance, social isolation, suspiciousness, fleeting suicidal thoughts, chronic sleep impairment, anger and irritability, mild memory loss and exaggerated startle response. For the period beginning September 10, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms no greater than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to the symptoms listed above, plus symptoms no greater than suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, anger and impaired impulse control, occasional neglect of personal appearance, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.,For the period October 8, 2010 to September 9, 2011, the Veteran's hepatitis C has been manifested by symptoms no greater than daily fatigue and malaise, arthralgia, anorexia and right upper quadrant pain, but without a requirement for continuous medication, incapacitating episodes, weight loss and hepatomegaly.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for hepatitis C, right ear condition other than hearing loss, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,For COPD, the Board determined there was no in-service diagnosis or exposure to asbestos. For Hepatitis C, the most common risk factor identified was post-service injection drug use.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C was incurred in service. The issue of service connection for a foot disability, to include bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues including reopening a claim for hepatitis C, service connection for hepatitis A and B, an increased rating for PTSD, and special monthly compensation for the aid and attendance of the Veteran's spouse.

The Board has granted service connection for fine tremors, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active service. The claim of viral hepatitis was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it prior to a decision.,Service connection for fine tremors is established based on evidence showing the condition began in service and continued thereafter.