Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2004

The veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, PTSD warrants a 10% evaluation, and the right hand injury with deformity and loss of motion of the index finger, degenerative arthritis of the thumb, carpometacarpal joint, and long finger strain is rated at 40%. The veteran's TDIU claim is held in abeyance.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to hepatitis C and cirrhosis, finding that these conditions did not begin during military service or within a year thereafter. The appellant was also denied Dependents' Educational Assistance as she did not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain further evidence, including a VA examination of the left shoulder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hepatitis C infection, effective from the date of claim in June 2000. The veteran's tinea unguium issue remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have hepatitis C that was incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence. The Board will consider whether the veteran was exposed to a stressor event in service, determine if the diagnosed conditions are related to such an event, and decide on the merits based on the new evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease as a residual of Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional notification and development under the VCAA.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C and service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C, specifically whether it was caused by in-service drug use or high-risk sexual activity during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD and to determine if new evidence supports reopening his hepatitis C claim. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current hepatitis C residuals are not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C and a need for a VA medical opinion.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 16, 2004, for a combined schedular rating of 100% for his service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO assigned the highest possible schedular evaluation (100%) on August 19, 2004, based on the veteran's left ankle disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than November 4, 2000 for a 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver due to hepatitis C.

The veteran's appeals regarding service connection for low back condition, ulcers, and Agent Orange residuals were dismissed due to the failure to file timely substantive appeals. The claims for hepatitis B and C, hearing loss, and PTSD have been reinstated.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability claimed as due to VA medical treatment on August 4, 1999. The case has been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C. The veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent.