Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has hepatitis C, which is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's hepatitis C virus is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence of more than a 10 percent rating prior to September 17, 2002.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, prostate disorder, and asthma, but denied service connection for colorectal cancer and nasal fracture residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his hepatitis C, which contributed to his death, was likely a result of surgeries due to combat wounds during service.

The veteran has been granted compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for Hepatitis C due to negligence on the part of VA in providing medical care.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were not incurred or aggravated in service, nor may their incurrence or aggravation be presumed. The Board also determined that they are not related to her service-connected lower back disability.

The Board found that the appellant's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for status post resection of pituitary microadenoma and scars of the feet were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for both PTSD and Hepatitis C claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset of each condition and their relationship to service.

The veteran's hepatitis C disability has not been productive of moderate liver damage and disabling gastrointestinal symptoms, or daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular renal disease, loss of vision in the right eye, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis B, including a liver transplant, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the veteran with proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by military service nor as a result of a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased disability rating for PTSD. The veteran was not provided with adequate notice regarding effective dates, which is a separate issue from the merits of his claims.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to incomplete records and failed attempts to obtain certain medical records.

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