Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during his period of active service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left elbow and left thigh disabilities were denied. The left elbow is currently evaluated at 30 percent, while the left thigh disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and hepatitis C with anxiety, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The issues of hepatitis C, Meniere's disease, and Epstein-Barr virus remain pending as further development is needed.

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

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to cirrhosis of the liver, which was found to be related to alcohol abuse secondary to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia. The rating assigned is 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for Hepatitis C should be remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is a direct result of his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is required with regard to the claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The other issues are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired liver disorder, including hepatitis C, on the basis that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations in connection with his claim.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current Hepatitis C is not related to the June 1974 surgery and there was no transfusion of blood from VA. As a result, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of Hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's hepatitis claim. The case is now being sent back for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for infectious hepatitis and denied service connection for tinea cruris.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD for accrued benefits purposes and for the cause of death. The veteran had received a diagnosis of PTSD, but there was no credible evidence linking it to any in-service stressor. His liver disease leading to his death was not related to service or due to an inservice viral infection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hepatitis C, depressive disorder, and headaches are not attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a left middle finger fracture and hepatitis C, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for the left middle finger fracture and concluding that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for hepatitis C.