Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, back disorder, hepatitis A with liver damage, or multiple generalized complaints. The service connection claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and right eye disability are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 10 percent since January 2005. The cervical spine disorder is rated as 10 percent disabling, and the right ankle fracture is rated as 20 percent disabling on and after June 1, 2005. The PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling prior to May 24, 2005, and 70 percent disabling thereafter.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was rated at a noncompensable level from November 30, 2000 to January 31, 2002 and since September 1, 2002. For the period between February 1, 2002 and August 31, 2002, a 100 percent evaluation was granted.

The VA Board found that the veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his condition has not involved minimal liver damage with associated fatigue, anxiety, and gastrointestinal disturbance necessitating dietary restriction or other therapeutic measures.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C, rheumatic fever, or a heart condition as a result of service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed hepatitis C is not a disorder of service origin and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 4, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The issue of Hepatitis C remains pending as it is not on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a clinical nexus opinion regarding the likely etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C does not warrant a higher initial rating of more than 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his Hepatitis C, hypertension, and impotency.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for liver disability prior to June 22, 1997 for the purpose of accrued benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's Hepatitis C is not etiologically related to his period of active service and denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, cervical spine, low back, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to a service-connected disability. However, the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and active service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current status and frequency of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the claim can be decided, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.