Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to cirrhosis of the liver, attributing it to chronic alcoholism. The appellant argued that the veteran's service-connected prostatitis aggravated his pre-existing condition leading to liver disease and death. However, there was no evidence supporting this theory.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur hepatitis C during active service, or if he did, it was due to intravenous drug use. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has found that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are found to be service-connected.

The veteran's hepatitis C is attributed to intravenous drug abuse, and the claim for service connection is denied.,There is no evidence of a headache disorder related to service or service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for headaches is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Board has ordered the RO to schedule a VA examination at the Mountain Home Medical Center or an alternative location, obtain all relevant medical records, including SSA disability benefits information, and then re-adjudicate the claim.

The veteran's hepatitis C was initially rated at 60 percent effective November 28, 1994. The case is now before the Board for further review on appeal regarding a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C virus is related to his military service and granted service connection. However, there is no evidence linking the current chronic bronchitis to his military service.

The VA denied a compensable rating for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on intermittent fatigue and malaise or incapacitating episodes.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, but the case has been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C. The RO failed to obtain the service medical records from his first period of service (August 1969 to November 1970), and his service personnel records, which are necessary to make a decision on all the evidence of the case.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for hepatitis B infection, finding that the veteran's condition was not severe enough to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability did not cause his death, and there was no evidence showing that any VA treatment caused or contributed to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied, and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned a 20 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus, effective July 9, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned an initial 10 percent evaluation from January 21, 1999. The veteran's claim is now pending on the issue of whether he should receive a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no competent evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the veteran's hepatitis C claim and his heart disability claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's infectious hepatitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there are no findings corresponding with the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7345.

The VA has arranged for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's hepatitis in service and his current hepatitis C. The case is remanded to clarify whether there is at least a 50% probability of a nexus.

The veteran's initial claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C was granted, but he is still seeking an initial compensable rating.