Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his period of active service. Service connection for hepatitis C was not addressed due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly prior to October 10, 2012. He did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he had no evidence of substantial weight loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory arrest due to hepatorenal failure, was found to be caused by his service-connected chronic active hepatitis B. As this condition is considered new and material evidence related to the Veteran's service, it has been granted as a basis for service connection.

The Veteran does not have hepatitis C attributable to his period of active service and the claim is denied.

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

The case is being remanded for further development to corroborate the Veteran's account of hepatitis C exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver was not received by VA until December 22, 2009. Therefore, an effective date earlier than that date cannot be granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to have its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD; left shoulder disability; hepatitis C; and diabetes mellitus. The Board found no probative value in the Veteran's allegations of an in-service injury that resulted in chronic disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes was denied, but the Board found new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for hepatitis C.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for cirrhosis of the liver. The Veteran contends that his exposure to carbon tetrachloride during service caused his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 31, 2004.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of prostate cancer and hepatitis B, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for back disability. The evidence submitted since the last final decision was not sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum medical opinion and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and vertigo. The claim of service connection for asthma is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the hepatitis B and left ankle disability claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA records.