Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C is appropriately rated as 10 percent disabling, based on intermittent fatigue and malaise. The veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of daily problems requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis C, and IgA deficiency. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia was also denied.

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

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing at the RO before a member of the Board. The veteran's claims to reopen service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of head injury are pending.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hepatitis C service connection and a higher initial rating for PTSD due to incomplete medical records, need for further VA examinations, and additional development of the record.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment, as well as records of his ongoing psychiatric care. The RO must also arrange for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determine its likely etiology.

The Board found that the veteran's liver condition had improved to the point where it was asymptomatic, warranting a reduction from a 10% rating to a noncompensable (0%) rating effective January 1, 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a skin disorder. The issues remain pending as part of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current disability due to hepatitis A incurred in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims. The veteran was also denied service connection for hepatitis.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service and cannot be granted as a direct service connection due to drug abuse. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred during his military service and is denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis or any identifiable residuals thereof, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is related to hepatitis C acquired during service. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective January 2, 2004. The claim for hepatitis C remains pending.

The veteran's hepatitis C was granted an initial rating of 10 percent disabling from May 25, 2001. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during active duty, as it is more likely due to his own intravenous drug use. The low back disability issue remains pending.