Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2005

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, which was first diagnosed in 1991. The Board has requested a VA examination to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and entitlement to accrued benefits, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The veteran's PTSD was granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2002.,The veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection effective October 12, 2001, but assigned a noncompensable rating.

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

The Board found that the veteran's chronic residuals resulting from hepatitis B vaccinations were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for this condition was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining dosage estimates of radiation exposure and a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further review of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dysthymia is granted, with a disability rating of 70 percent effective from May 12, 2003. The issue of hepatitis B was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 for Hepatitis C infection, service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted by the veteran. The other claims remain pending.

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

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B is granted. The Board finds that the veteran has a current diagnosis of hepatitis B which was initially incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is competent for VA benefits purposes and restored his competency status.

The VA granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective from May 31, 2000. The veteran's claim was not about service connection at all.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records. The issues of hepatitis-C evaluation, TDIU, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are all inextricably intertwined and will be addressed together.

The Board previously denied service connection for hepatitis C and porphyria cutanea tarda. The case is being remanded to the RO&IC for further development, including providing VCAA notice and considering additional evidence submitted by the veteran's representative.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee, and hepatitis were denied as his failure to report for scheduled VA medical examinations prevented a determination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's hepatitis and psychiatric disability claims, including considering whether a separate rating for cirrhosis of the liver should be assigned and obtaining an updated VA examination.