Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran likely incurred hepatitis C while on active duty, and therefore service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's cause of death, cirrhosis, was not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The appellant's argument for service connection based on exposure to herbicides while in Vietnam is also not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to his withdrawal of his claim for a skin condition and the need to provide additional evidence regarding the veracity of his claimed in-service stressors, as well as further examination to determine the etiology of his PTSD, hepatitis C, and dental trauma.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service receipt of tattoos. Service connection for PTSD was not addressed due to a lack of evidence.

The veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The issues of night sweats, skin rash, and sleep disorder secondary to hepatitis C are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's condition was manifested within one year of his separation from active duty. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for hepatitis C, currently rated at 30 percent disabling.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's infectious hepatitis, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his active military service and his current diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and cirrhosis of the liver, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The veteran's claims for reopening service connection for testicular cancer and post traumatic stress disorder were also denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic hepatitis and a neurologic disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

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

The veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at 100 percent since November 19, 2004. His PTSD remains at a 50 percent rating.

The Board has found that the record is not sufficiently developed to ensure an informed decision and has ordered additional examinations, records reviews, and evidence collection. The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions need to be rated appropriately.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent evidence linking current hepatitis C to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran likely incurred hepatitis C while on active duty in Vietnam, and service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

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