Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD is being remanded due to scheduling issues. The hearing has been rescheduled.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the current diagnosis is more likely related to the veteran's documented drug use. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of record showing a current diagnosis of PTSD related to verified stressors in service, and the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C cannot be granted as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between currently diagnosed hepatitis C and military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and pancreatitis, finding that the conditions are not related to military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's digestive disorder, including cholecystectomy and hepatitis C with probable cirrhosis, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms are consistent with the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and blood disease/Hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for Hepatitis C and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The veteran is now scheduled to undergo a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of Hepatitis C is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, as it was likely caused by his use of intravenous drugs during and after military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical records and schedule the veteran for an examination. The appeal will be remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for gastritis, service connection for swelling of the hands, feet, legs, and stomach, and service connection for hepatitis were all denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, and basic eligibility for educational benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,The medical evidence did not show a relationship between any cause of the veteran's death and his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased disability evaluation for anxiety reaction, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and back disability as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support a secondary relationship between the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for hepatitis B as there is no current evidence of a disability due to hepatitis B.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C due to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for hepatitis C and sebaceous cysts, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.