Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis A, B, and C, as well as disabilities of the left knee and shoulders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and residuals of hepatitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C with peritoneal adhesions, as his disability has been manifested by fatigue and mild to moderate liver damage.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD and hepatitis with residual splenomegaly as untimely filed, more than a year after the initial rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from chronic hepatitis and therefore cannot be granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and it was not caused by any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis is denied.

The veteran's service-connected pyloric obstruction, partial, with history of duodenal ulcer and hiatal hernia with cirrhosis of the liver is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The claim for increased evaluation for residuals of a cervical spine injury remains denied.

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

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hepatitis have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's hepatitis C and nephrolithiasis of the left lobe are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels under VA regulations. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his claimed residuals of hepatitis, finding that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under either the old or new versions of Diagnostic Code 7345.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis B, residuals of right ankle injury, and low back disability due to lack of credible supporting evidence for in-service stressors and no current disabilities related to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected infectious hepatitis does not warrant a compensable rating under the former provisions of Diagnostic Code 7345 in effect prior to July 2, 2001.

The Board denied increased ratings for hepatitis and multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death resulted from hepatitis C, which was caused by a blood transfusion in service. As such, the cause of the veteran's death is deemed to be incurred in service and service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

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

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection with a non-compensable rating from May 25, 2001 to October 18, 2001. From October 19, 2001 onwards, he is rated at 20 percent for this condition. The veteran's hepatitis C has been granted service connection with a 40 percent rating since May 21, 2001. He also received TDIU benefits.