Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritic changes of the acromioclavicular joint with associated impingement involving the left shoulder and for an increased rating for his recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder. The RO granted service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hepatitis C, but did not grant a higher initial rating.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current hepatitis B or C is related to service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the cause(s) of his death and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to post-hepatic cirrhosis of the liver, finding no evidence linking this condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is secondary to his alcohol abuse. The service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral knee disability, finding no medical evidence establishing a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 7, 2002, for the grant of service connection for epicondylitis of the left elbow. The RO is instructed to issue a Statement of the Case on the issue of a rating greater than 30 percent for Hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a low back disability, a hip disability, and hepatitis C. The evidence does not support these claims.,Service connection was denied because there is no competent evidence linking any of these conditions to service or to a service connected disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension, hepatitis, hiatal hernia, and onychomycosis of the left great toe. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine strain was reopened based on new evidence showing current disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of a link between his active duty service and the condition, and drug use during service constitutes willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis, which had previously been denied in September 1972. The denial remains unchanged.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, depression (claimed as secondary to hepatitis C), and Meniere's disease (claimed as vertigo and an ear condition). The veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and organic brain syndrome due to a head injury. The evidence did not establish an etiological relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's hepatitis C was rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from November 1998.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C and determined that it should be granted based on new evidence submitted since the last denial.