Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board granted service connection for gout and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The claim for a compensable rating for hepatitis was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C and hepatic abscess were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking them to any incident of service. The appeal for these conditions was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, and hepatitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis, which is a direct result of his service-connected alcoholism. As such, service connection for the cause of death will be granted.

The Board granted service connection for Hepatitis C due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam era, but found that there was no evidence of a direct causal link between the veteran's service and his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and hepatitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, citing issues with obtaining all necessary medical records and conducting examinations to assess his disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic hepatitis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his symptoms are essentially asymptomatic and all reported symptoms are attributed to other conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between his alcohol-related conditions and his death. The claim for Survivors and Dependents Education assistance was also denied as there was no qualifying total disability at the time of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis, which is claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal is granted.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no evidence of its onset during or as a result of his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis with dysthymia did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as her condition resolved without identifiable residuals and there were no incapacitating episodes or other symptoms meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hepatitis is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for hepatitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a cold injury of the left and right feet, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle, an inactive ulcer, and inactive hepatitis, prior to November 6, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis A and a bone chip fracture, right foot due to lack of current disability evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a liver disorder, including hepatitis C, due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, but found no evidence of current infectious hepatitis B or chronic disability from these conditions.