Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding the veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and herpes simplex virus were not caused by a VA blood transfusion in June 1983, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied both the claim for service connection for cause of death and the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C and bilateral anterior metatarsalgia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO and sending notice of the hearing to his current address.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings, finding no legal basis for an earlier effective date than December 14, 2001.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for hepatitis B is pending as it requires additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, dysthymia, and hepatitis B and C. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and psychiatric disorder, hepatitis, and seizures. The claims for reopening of these issues were also denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of his previously denied claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, malaria residuals, and hepatitis residuals were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C is related to events in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for Hepatitis C effective September 19, 2005. Prior to this date, the veteran's condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C developed as a result of his intravenous drug use, and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumptive period, and no medical evidence connecting service with the current disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical evaluation regarding the veteran's hepatitis C infection.

The veteran's hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis are found to be the result of incidents in service, allowing for service connection.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis B and C service connection, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for PTSD benefits, were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.