Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board found no credible evidence that the Veteran's allergies worsened during service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examination regarding his hepatitis C, right knee disability, and hepatitis B rating.

The Veteran's autoimmune hepatitis did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to September 2011, and does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning from September 2011.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and is granting service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C, and esophageal varices as secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew her request for service connection for poor immune response, claimed as secondary to hepatitis C, for the purpose of accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected distal right fourth metacarpal fracture with mild angulation deformity residuals disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The claims for hepatitis C and back disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C and alcoholism was denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability has been productive of daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, with minor weight loss. The Board finds that the criteria for a 40 percent rating are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to military service via multi-use jet injections received during such service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Birmingham VAMC and addressing the duty to assist. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of TBI, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for hepatitis C were denied. The Veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for Hepatitis C remains pending as VA will obtain additional medical opinions before making a decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diagnosed cirrhosis of the liver is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed residuals of pneumonia and hepatic cirrhosis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 10 percent disabling since October 23, 2000. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, thus denying the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B due to a lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated noncompensable prior to September 19, 2011, and 20 percent since that date. The appeal has been denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) of the Board. The RO must ask the Veteran to clarify his preferred type of hearing and notify him of the date, time, and location if he chooses one.