Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

The veteran's service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis B, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Hepatocellular Liver Disease secondary to Hepatitis C infection, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine and Degenerative Disc Disease C5-6 with Mild Neural Foraminal Encroachment, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were all granted. The veteran's service connection for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his in-service hepatitis infection contributed to his liver disease and subsequent cardiac arrest. The claimant is also granted an increased rating for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C or residuals of epididymitis, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, claimed as hepatitis C, due to herbicide exposure and secondary to service-connected second degree burn scars. The veteran did not have a current liver disability or diagnosed disability of hepatitis B or C that manifested during service or within one year of service, was not etiologically related to herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure in service, and is not otherwise related by competent medical evidence to active service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is necessary to confirm the veteran's engagement in combat and verify specific stressful events. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C was dismissed because the veteran had died and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. His DIC claim is also denied as the criteria for entitlement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 have not been met.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension, gout, and cirrhosis are on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, neck injury residuals, and back injury residuals. The RO also denied a claim of entitlement to PTSD disability rating in excess of 30 percent and restoration of the 30 percent rating.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence or clarification. The case will be returned to the RO for any necessary actions before being sent back to the Board.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) and Hepatitis, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or to in-service herbicide exposure.

The veteran seeks service connection for Hepatitis C with cirrhosis and ascites. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the cause of his disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied service connection for infectious hepatitis and the cause of death due to lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was incurred in service or proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for hepatitis C, the highest available under the old criteria. The veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for this rating.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C is most likely related to his one-time intravenous (IV) drug use with shared needles, rather than any other incident of active service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded to the RO for development of the veteran's hepatitis C claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional medical examination. The VA will seek outstanding records, including those from earlier in his service, and provide supplemental notice.