Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2002

The veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by VA treatment, as the infection was a reasonably foreseeable event. Therefore, he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a chronic liver condition (including hepatitis C), and a skin condition, all claimed as resulting from exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or causation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected hepatitis C has been productive of minimal liver damage with associated complaints of constant fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbance since the effective date of service connection. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, arthritis of multiple joints, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is no evidence to support the veteran's assertions that these conditions are related to his active service. The veteran withdrew his appeals regarding arthritis of multiple joints and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, finding no medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, arthritis of multiple joints and back, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and gout were denied as they are not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for PTSD was remanded but no new evidence has been provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensably disabling and his claim for an increased rating for osteomyelitis of the left tibia must be denied. The veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in April and August 2000, which prevented a determination based on current evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his liver disease to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, based on his current symptoms and the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis A, and it is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear due to aggravation during active duty. Service connection was denied for hearing loss in the left ear and hepatitis, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis has been manifested by subjective reports of occasional jaundice with no objective evidence of demonstrable liver damage, gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, malaise, anorexia, or incapacitating episodes. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for jungle rot of the feet and hepatitis. The examiner opined that the current hearing loss was most likely due to post-service civilian jobs.

The Board determined that the veteran's hepatitis C developed due to his own willful misconduct, specifically drug and alcohol abuse during service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.