Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2004

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C with cirrhosis, finding that the criteria were more favorable based on a facial comparison.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and found it in equipoise with the evidence. The veteran's dysthymic disorder is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA medical examinations to determine if the veteran suffers from hepatitis C and tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma was denied. However, his claim for cirrhosis of the liver was granted as it is at least as likely as not caused by his hepatitis B.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a left knee condition. The decision on the left knee claim is final as it was not appealed.

The Board found no evidence of current disability from hepatitis and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his Hepatitis C was incurred in service, and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and unclear medical opinions regarding the connection between current hepatitis B and C diagnoses and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and residuals of a laceration of the head. The claim for increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the left hip, status post total hip replacement, with residuals is denied due to lack of timely substantive appeal. The issue of an increased rating from 20% to 30% for left ankle (fibula) fracture with arthritis has been remanded by the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The VA has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis, which was previously denied in April 1992.

The Board found that the veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right hand and leg injuries, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. Therefore, it granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The RO denied service connection for hepatitis. The case is being remanded to the RO for further review and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for their initial review of additional evidence, including a letter from [redacted], PA-C. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered in light of this new information.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, finding no causal relationship between the veteran's current condition and his period of active duty.,Service connection was granted for hepatitis C with an initial rating of 10 percent. However, the claim is pending as to the effective date.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 70% prior to October 11, 2000 and later granted a 100% rating effective from October 11, 2000. The veteran also received a TDIU effective November 1, 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking opinions on whether the veteran's death was caused or contributed to by service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal disability claim, and the denial of hepatitis was final.