Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA mental health records and service personnel records. The appellant's claim will be adjudicated on the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional information and evidence, including records from a counseling session at the Bradford Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying a stressor. The Veteran's hepatitis C is being evaluated by a VA hepatologist to determine if it is related to military service due to unprotected sexual activity post-service. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the existence and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective October 2007. The rating for Hepatitis C has been increased to 20 percent, also effective October 2007. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and Meniere's disease due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases regarding the duty to assist, failure to provide VA examinations, and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and hepatitis C have all been denied by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, as there was no evidence linking any condition to service or presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board also denied claims for increased ratings and SMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis), interstitial lung disease (follicular bronchiolitis and connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease) and sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The current disability ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disease, to include hepatitis B, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for hepatitis C was granted but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus or erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum and non A, non B and non C hepatitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C had its onset during active service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis A and B were incurred during service, and he is entitled to service connection for these conditions. The laceration scar of the left forearm was not found to warrant a compensable rating.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.