Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his claims.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of hepatitis and a low back disorder. The Veteran's current conditions were attributed to inservice injuries, but there was no medical evidence showing chronic conditions resulting from these inservice treatments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis B and there is no evidence to support a finding that his hepatitis B was incurred in service. As such, the claim for service connection for hepatitis B is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board found that the disease is more likely due to post-service risk factors, such as IV drug use and high-risk sexual behavior.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural flaws and additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and reviewing the line of duty determination for the tattoo.

The Veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a liver condition other than hepatitis C, and peripheral neuropathy secondary to hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any aspect thereof.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is pending, as the appeal was withdrawn. The right foot injury with right ankle capsulitis and scars have been granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective February 4, 2009. The low back strain remains at a 10 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the most likely etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, and to assess whether it was incurred during service or due to in-service risk factors.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary psychiatric disability due to hepatitis C remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring that the VA has considered her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was caused by a blood transfusion in February 1982, which was not reasonably foreseeable at the time. The claim is granted as compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated the Veteran's alcoholism, which contributed significantly to his cirrhosis of the liver and ultimately caused his death.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is denied. The effective date for the grant of HIV service connection remains July 24, 2009. The Veteran's rating for HIV remains at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring proper notice.

The Veteran's service-connected steatohepatitis has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his symptoms are more likely attributable to diabetes rather than steatohepatitis. The Board finds that he does not meet the requirements for any of the rating levels under Diagnostic Code 7345.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which was presumed to have been incurred due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, contributed substantially or materially to cause his death from congestive heart failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C, finding that there was no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C service connection claim and PTSD disability evaluation claims are being remanded for additional development. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.