Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records and scheduling medical examinations.

The Board found that the most likely risk factor for the veteran's hepatitis C was intranasal drug use, and denied service connection based on this finding.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C disability met the criteria for a 100% evaluation as of March 1, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B and assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete notification of VCAA provisions and in order to obtain additional medical records. The earlier effective date claims are also inextricably intertwined with the current claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, headaches, a right shoulder disorder, a left foot condition, and a right knee disorder. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C effective from December 3, 2003. The veteran's claim was initially denied in May 1970 but reopened and granted again on December 3, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to evaluate the veteran's hepatitis and determine its etiology.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis B positive antibody, atrophy of the left kidney, and hypertension as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The veteran did not have any chronic infections or significant medical history related to these conditions during service.

The veteran died of MRSA pneumonia due to multisystem organ failure and acute viral hepatitis. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hepatitis A, B, and C. The veteran's claim is pending further development.

The veteran's hepatitis C was initially granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. From July 2, 2001, the VA increased his rating to 20 percent based on continued treatment and symptoms.

The March 12, 2002 rating decision granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The veteran argued that the correct regulation/Diagnostic Code was not applied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, post-traumatic headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of multiple shell fragment wounds (SFWs), carpal tunnel syndrome, and hepatitis C. The denial was based on a lack of credible evidence to support these conditions as being related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has hepatitis C and finds a 50% or better probability that it is related to his military service, leading to its grant of service connection.

The veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which he believes was caused by a blood transfusion during active duty. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and determine the etiology of his condition.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the veteran's diabetes and/or coronary artery disease contributed substantially or materially to his death from liver disease. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.