Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a right shoulder condition, secondary service connection for bilateral foot condition (claimed as skin discoloration), and service connection for Hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The decision on one issue could significantly impact the other two.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board found no current disability in the cases of hepatitis B, chronic skin infection of the groin (claimed as MRSA), left chest nerve disability, or allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and he is granted new evidence supporting his claim. The VA will schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of prostate condition, hepatitis B, and hypertension for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis and necrotizing fasciitis status post skin graft have been remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not caused symptoms such as intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating may be warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a mass of the neck, tuberculosis, and vision disability have been dismissed.,Service connection has not been granted for hypertension, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, diabetes, or neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's active service and his current condition. The VA examiners have opined against this claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records. The Veteran's scar residual of a cyst is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not warrant an increased rating as there are no symptoms or characteristics of disfigurement that would support a higher rating.

The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to misdiagnosis of HIV is dismissed, and a 20 percent rating is granted for hepatitis B. Compensation for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning March 21, 2013, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death from cirrhosis was caused by his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides while in Vietnam. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has determined that he does not have an active infection or any residuals symptoms, thus denying his claim for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and has remanded his claims for porphyria cutanea tarda and skin cancer due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and did not reopen the claim for end-stage renal disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to lack of confirmed herbicide exposure during active service. The Veteran died from kidney failure, but there was no evidence of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam or Korea.

The Board previously denied service connection for hepatitis C, but the appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's representative asserts that his service treatment records may be mixed with personnel records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received, which includes service treatment records. The appellant now contends that the Veteran's schizophrenia led to alcohol abuse and cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and is granted. The initial increased rating claim for PTSD remains remanded.