Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2002

The veteran's appeal is granted, and he is awarded a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected postoperative residuals of fracture, left distal tibia and fibula, with posterior tibial and common peroneal nerve damage. The other issues are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of hepatitis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic residual liver disease or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C and a 10 percent rating for multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The veteran was currently rated at 30 percent for hepatitis C under Diagnostic Code 7345.

The VA has denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for cause of death due to cirrhosis of the liver, finding that there is no evidence showing a relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C with liver damage did not originate during his period of honorable service from October 1981 to October 5, 1985 and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Anti-social Personality Disorder, Hepatitis C, and the residuals of a left leg injury, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues, including those related to gallbladder disease, hepatitis, ventral hernia, and back disability. As a result, the Board has no jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Board determined that there was no service connection for the cause of death, and the veteran's death was not related to his period of active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, hearing loss, residuals of hepatitis, and a back disability. The veteran's eye disorder is not considered a condition that can be service-connected.

The VA determined that the appellant did not suffer additional disability as a result of hepatitis C, which he claims was contracted from a blood transfusion during surgery performed at a VA hospital in October 1990. The Board found no basis for granting benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C infection is not attributable to military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in active service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic active autoimmune hepatitis, which he claimed was due to his military service and specifically exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's schistosomal hepatitis with splenomegaly, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence showed no severe symptoms related to this disability and that the veteran's current complaints are more closely associated with other conditions like diverticulosis.

The Board found that the veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's hepatitis C was initially evaluated at 10 percent and later increased to 30 percent effective from November 5, 1999. The low back disability was initially evaluated at 10 percent and is currently rated as 40 percent disabling since March 22, 2001.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and infectious hepatitis as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.