Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss during the June 2010 Board hearing. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis, which caused his death, was incurred in service due to blood transfusions and morphine injections during combat.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the progression of his hepatitis C with cirrhosis and potential development of hepatocellular carcinoma. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, including any new symptoms or complications.

The Board has restored the Veteran's special monthly pension benefits based on the need of aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including left transtibial amputation, HIV infection, hepatitis B and C, and seizures. The reduction in benefits was not warranted as there is no evidence of improvement in the Veteran's condition during the period from June 1, 2009 to November 4, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, an acquired psychiatric disability, corns of the right foot, hypertension, hepatitis A and B, and a prostate disorder. The evidence did not establish any current disabilities or link them to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hepatitis B and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis B under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 was denied, and his diabetes mellitus type II service connection claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II but did not establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C and low back disorder were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's depression and Hepatitis C symptoms have been rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis B, cirrhosis of the liver, and liver cancer are service-connected. Lung cancer is also service-connected as a metastasis of liver cancer. The Veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a medical opinion regarding his allegations of exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a search at the National Personnel Records Center.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve a determination of service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C should be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.