Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran does not have a hepatitis C diagnosis, and thus, the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are not met.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his incarceration and inability to appear for a scheduled hearing. He seeks service connection for hepatitis C, left knee bursitis/tendonitis, and an increased rating for right ankle DJD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The VA examiner diagnosed the Veteran with PTSD related to his military service in Vietnam. Service connection is also granted for Hepatitis C, as it relates to the Veteran's right-ear piercing during service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions and additional records needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case will be readjudicated after scheduling new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for Hepatitis C prior to February 9, 2012 and from that date was denied as the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication. From February 9, 2012, the evidence showed near-constant debilitating symptoms but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for residuals of hepatitis was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis and renal calculus claims are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being held in abeyance pending adjudication of the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of her exposure history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence and provide a medical opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 10 percent, and his athlete's foot is not compensably rated.,During the appeal period, the Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by intermittent fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and weight loss. His athlete's foot covered less than five percent of exposed skin and required topical treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of entitlement and requests for additional records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism is incurred during service, as evidenced by his imprisonment in service. The evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected infectious hepatitis is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no evidence of recurrence or active disease. The residuals of his left inguinal hernia are also rated as noncompensable.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, but has denied the claim as there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as his hepatitis C was determined to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and specifically ruled out Agent Orange exposure as a contributing factor. The evidence does not support direct service connection for the causes of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic hepatitis C was caused by his willful misconduct, specifically his intravenous drug use during service. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is denied.