Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's hepatitis C to his service and denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but denied both the PTSD and hepatitis C claims on the merits. The veteran did not engage in combat during active service, and the preponderance of the competent medical evidence shows he does not have PTSD secondary to non-combat service related stressors. The veteran's hepatitis C was contracted as a result of extensive post-service alcohol and intravenous (IV) drug use, and is not otherwise causally related to his period of active military service.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The cause of the veteran's death, liver failure and hepatitis C, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, bilateral leg disability, diabetes, and liver problems secondary to hepatitis C have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and scrotal eczema (claimed as rashes on testicles), to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C do not warrant higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C, finding the veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under either the old (Code 7345) or new (Code 7354) criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD based on in-service stressors and his Hepatitis C is not related to service. The claims for both conditions are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board found that the cause of death (escherichia coli septic shock) was not service-connected, and thus denied burial benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's liver disease, including hepatitis C, was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C due to lack of evidence associating his current condition with military service. The case is now remanded for further consideration, including a review of post-service risk factors and potential need for an examination.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C and awarded retroactive disability compensation at a monthly rate of $2,408 effective December 1, 2002. The veteran's PTSD with TDIU was also granted.

The veteran's claim of service connection for chronic hepatitis C has been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to military service.,The veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic lung disorder and PTSD have also been reopened. The new evidence supports the veteran's contention that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred during his military service and more likely a result of post-service drug use.

The Board has determined that the veteran's infectious hepatitis is asymptomatic and does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C and a skin disorder due to exposure to herbicides were denied. The claim for PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from August 10, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hepatitis, both determined to be due to disease or injury incurred in active duty. The effective dates of these grants are not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hepatitis C, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hepatitis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating or that they were not related to service.