Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2003

The Board found that the appellant's current Hepatitis C infection is related to his Army service, while denying service connection for Hepatitis B. The claim for Hepatitis C was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, a back disability, and a right foot toe disability. The Board found that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, as there is no competent evidence linking it to exposure in Vietnam or any other cause during his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and found that the veteran's hepatitis did not warrant a compensable rating prior to June 28, 1999. However, it granted a 10 percent rating for his hepatitis beginning June 28, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for INH induced hepatitis and gastroesophageal reflux with duodenitis, currently rated at 10 percent. The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic hepatitis C was incurred during his active service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis B or any related symptoms, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatal liver cancer was incurred in service and is related to his hepatitis residuals, leading to cirrhosis. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied service connection for dental trauma, a compensable rating for residuals of a left elbow fracture, and service connection for hepatitis A and bilateral hip disorder with right leg muscle strain and right buttock pain. The decision also addressed issues related to an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss in a separate decision.

The veteran's splinter scars on the right arm and viral hepatitis are not rated compensably, and a combined rating for multiple noncompensable disabilities is denied.

The veteran's current hepatitis C is determined to be service-connected, with the Board concluding that it resulted from incidents during his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a liver disorder, including chronic hepatitis. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the veteran's current liver disease and chronic hepatitis C are causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any residual disabilities associated with his March 1992 illness, and thus service connection for viral rash, erythema multiforme, herpes simplex, and hepatitis is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, finding that his current chronic hepatitis C resulted from intravenous drug abuse and not related to any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board has determined that hepatitis-C was incurred in service, and the veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability, prevent him from securing and following gainful employment. The Board has determined that the veteran meets the requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, hypertension, hepatitis B and C, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions were incurred in service or related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis is at least as likely as not incurred during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of nonactive Hepatitis A and B is service-connected, as both diseases were present during his military service.