Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. As a result, the claims for secondary service connection for liver damage and depression are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent medical evidence linking the current disability to his active military service. The effective date of PTSD was granted but not prior to March 9, 1999.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his death was not caused by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea versicolor is very likely related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including scheduling a VA psychiatric and hepatitis C examination. The issues of service connection for drug and alcohol abuse (claimed as secondary to PTSD) and hepatitis C are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressful experiences for PTSD and to obtain a VA examination regarding his hepatitis C. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to cure a procedural defect, including providing VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis/scarlet fever, but denied both claims as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claims for reopening a hepatitis claim and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for thrombophlebitis, but the Court ordered remand due to VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a VA examination and further review.

The VA Regional Office (RO) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for serous otitis, tinnitus, left Achilles tendonitis, and hepatitis B. The RO found no evidence of current disability related to these conditions during or after military service.

The veteran's claim for additional convalescent benefits was denied, and his request for service connection for hepatitis C remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, secondary to a service-connected postoperative total left hip replacement. The appeal is allowed to this extent.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C or cirrhosis during service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to military service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal, including all issues listed on the front cover of this decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hepatitis B and C from November 18, 1997 was denied by the RO.

The VA denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his hepatitis. The RO&IC found that the current evaluations of 10 percent were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking a VA examiner's opinion regarding the veteran's back problems and hepatitis.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during his military service.