Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability that had been rated totally disabling for at least eight years prior to his death. Therefore, the Appellant is not entitled to an increased rate of DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse disorder with history of alcoholism is due to his voluntary use of alcohol, and therefore not a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or caused by his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, prostate cancer, and hepatitis C, are found to be at least as likely as not preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating was 80% prior to August 1, 2012, the claim is granted for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, specifically due to a dishonorable discharge from his second period of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were found to meet criteria for a 100% disability rating for hepatitis C from June 20, 2013. The Veteran was also granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (small bowel ischemia, hypotension, and sepsis) was not causally or etiologically related to his military service. The in-service back injury did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for secondary service connection for liver disorder other than hepatitis C, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed for the Veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C claims, as these records may impact the adjudication of her appeal. The case is therefore being remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has granted service connection for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but denied service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's HCV, bilateral hallux valgus, and LUE cubital tunnel syndrome were all granted service connection. However, the Veteran was denied higher initial evaluations for his HCV (currently rated 10%), right foot hallux valgus (rated 0%), left foot hallux valgus (rated 0%), and LUE cubital tunnel syndrome (rated 10%).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The appellant is seeking to substitute as the claimant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease, claimed as Hepatitis C, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (mood disorder, lumbosacral strain, migraines, hepatitis C, right and left foot bunions, and pes planus) do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C was incurred during service, around the time he was diagnosed with hepatitis B in 1977.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a liver disability (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's liver disease and COPD were not service-connected, as the evidence did not establish a direct link to his military service or any other compensable condition.