Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is causally related to active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death, as well as the need for additional records related to his treatment prior to his death.

The veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by chronic daily fatigue and minor weight loss from November 9, 2000 to January 22, 2003. On and after January 22, 2003, the condition was characterized by chronic daily fatigue, occasional nausea, loss of appetite, and occasional right upper quadrant pain or tenderness on palpation. The decision denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C from November 9, 2000 to January 22, 2003, and a rating in excess of 60 percent on and after January 22, 2003.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's claimed conditions to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims for hepatitis C and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased disability rating for PTSD and service connection for hepatitis C. The appeal is dismissed.

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

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and PTSD due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, intracranial leakage with ear drainage, macular degeneration, ptosis of the left eye, and a heart disorder (myocardial infarction), finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to these conditions. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's exposure to blood and needle sticks during his military service is at least as likely as not the cause of his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a respiratory disorder, a skin disorder, muscle pain, and joint aches. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis B and/or C, numbness of the right thumb, residuals of a distal tuff fracture of the left great toe, and skin disability have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and duodenal ulcer were denied. The extension of a temporary total disability rating beyond March 1, 1998 for right shoulder surgery convalescence was granted. The increased rating claim for residuals of right shoulder injury post-operative had some issues granted and others not.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of liver disease, currently diagnosed as NASH and hepatitis B, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and an increased rating for migraine headaches. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied depression claim 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 claims for service connection for glaucoma and PTSD, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or for several decades following discharge. The claim for hepatitis was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the veteran's service-connected disabilities were not listed on his death certificate and that the fatal disability was not present during service.

The VA 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 it is at least as likely as not (50% probability) that the veteran's current hepatitis C was contracted during service. The case will be remanded to obtain VA treatment records and a VA examination.