Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C infection warrants an initial rating of 30 percent, but no more, as of July 2001. The old rating criteria are more favorable to the appellant throughout the rating period.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service records and a need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service.

The veteran's non-service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his hepatitis C is rated at 10 percent. The issue of a separate evaluation for headaches remains unresolved.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no causal link between his current diagnosis and any incident of active service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any Hepatitis, including Hepatitis C. If the examination confirms a connection between service and these conditions, it will be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus type I and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder and hepatitis C have been dismissed as the appeals were not timely filed. The issue regarding finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in rating decisions has also been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's hepatitis C to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a compensable rating for residuals of infectious hepatitis due to the absence of any current residual disability.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for trench foot and hepatitis C. The decision on trench foot was based on a lack of current diagnosis, while the claim for hepatitis C remains pending due to the need for new and material evidence.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the appellant's Hepatitis C infection, effective from April 2, 2004. The initial rating was 20 percent prior to that date.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hepatitis C and residuals of hepatitis B to his service, including any in-service episodes. The appeal is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol use, was proximately due to his service-connected schizophrenia. The appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as there is no potential for additional benefit under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.