Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's hemorrhoids, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate those required for such a rating. The claim for hepatitis C service connection was denied.

The veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis most nearly approximates moderate liver damage with disabling recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, and mental depression. The criteria for a 60 percent evaluation have been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a head injury, and hepatitis. The claim to reopen a previously denied low back disability was also denied.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits due to his unemployability being primarily attributed to substance abuse, and not due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's currently diagnosed hepatitis C to his period of active military service, specifically any immunization shots with an air gun and/or scratches and bites from dogs and cats during his in-service veterinary medical training. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C must be denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and whether a document received by facsimile on August 10, 2002, was a valid notice of disagreement to the July 23, 2002, rating decision. The effective date issue is not addressed as it pertains to an earlier effective date for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have chronic hepatitis C with cirrhosis in service, and it is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hepatitis B was not present in service and is not etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis B is denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, Hepatitis C, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were all granted. The initial evaluations for these conditions are as follows: Degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine rated at 10 percent; Hepatitis C rated at 30 percent; GERD rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not service-connected, and thus denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claim. The veteran's hepatitis residuals are currently evaluated at 0 percent disabling, but he is seeking an increased evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and dismissed the remaining issues of appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated during his active military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's hepatitis disability has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating than 20 percent, as it does not necessitate dietary restriction or continuous medication.

The veteran's hepatitis C was not present at the time of his discharge from service and is not etiologically related to his military service.

The veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations related to hepatitis-C have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his current appeals.