Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's death was attributed to multiple organ failure due to coronary artery disease, with contributory factors including cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C and lichen planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and viral hepatitis, including whether these conditions are related to his in-service episode of viral hepatitis or any tattoos obtained during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C or epilepsy due to service and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, a wart condition as secondary to hepatitis C, a kidney condition as secondary to hepatitis C, and a prostate condition as secondary to hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board dismissed the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the issue of service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current hepatitis C disability is found to be due to his intravenous drug use during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, and a hepatitis C examination will also be conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that the initial post-service medical evidence of hepatitis C is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C treatment at The Toledo Hospital on January 14, 2008 were denied as the treatment was not rendered in response to a medical emergency.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including establishing the timeline of intravenous drug use and providing a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C was denied due to the belief that it resulted from his own willful misconduct. The Board is now considering whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis, rash on the hands and forehead, leg cramps, defective vision, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of his death, and therefore, the appellant's claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hepatitis C, hypertension, or a left hernia scar. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show these conditions preexisted his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee disability is not caused or made worse by his service-connected left ankle disorder, and thus denied secondary service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further action regarding whether the Veteran submitted a timely substantive appeal from the June 27, 2003 rating decision denying service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination.