Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service-connected hepatitis or hepatitis B, and thus denied the veteran's claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hepatitis C disability and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for hepatitis B is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to verified in-service stressors, and the medical evidence supports this finding.

The Board found that the veteran's liver disorder, including hepatitis C; coronary artery disease; anemia; pancytopenia; and myelodysplasia were not incurred in or aggravated by service and were not due to exposure to radiation in service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C. The veteran's psychiatric disorder was found to have preexisted service, and the Board determined that it did not increase in severity during service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no underlying service-connected condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including recent VA medical treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to clarify whether the service-connected HIV infection has aggravated the veteran's hepatitis C, and to obtain any outstanding treatment records. The veteran will also be provided with corrective notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD. The veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for these conditions, and there is insufficient evidence linking his claimed in-service stressors or risk factors to his current disabilities.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current hepatitis C is related to service, and denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, but finds that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and other conditions, including right knee disorder, lumbosacral strain, headaches, left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, wrist ganglion cysts, and tinnitus. The veteran was granted service connection for gastritis and a left knee disorder.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C with depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and proper notification.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis A with liver dysfunction is currently asymptomatic and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal at a Travel Board hearing. The remaining issues regarding hepatitis B and heart disability are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and confirming the location of the veteran's last audiological evaluation.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to completion of its appellate review due to missing VA medical records from before 2001 and relevant to the claimed disabilities on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C and thus, service connection is denied.