Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis B as there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors, and the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. For Hepatitis B, there is no competent evidence of active infection or residuals.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and hepatitis B were denied. The RO or AMC considered both former and revised schedular criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, and gallstones are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression. The case is remanded to allow for further development and an examination.

The VA has granted service connection for a fracture of the right thumb and headaches (migraines), but denied service connection for hepatitis C and psoriasis. The veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his in-service trauma, though there is no direct evidence linking hepatitis C to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to incomplete review of his medical records, potential changes in condition, and the need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from his liver specialist.

The Board has ordered a remand to search for in-patient clinical records from the veteran's hospitalization at the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam, and to obtain an opinion on whether his hepatitis C is linked to a blood transfusion during that time.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication of his claims.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination and treatment records are requested. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C, previously known as non-A, non-B hepatitis, first manifested in service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The decision found no legal basis for an increased rating for either condition and denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II did not cause or contribute to his death from hepatic encephalopathy due to cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C and alcoholism. The Board concluded that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran has withdrawn her appeal on the issues of increased ratings for hepatitis C residuals.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his active military service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the veteran contracted hepatitis C during his time in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis B and C are likely related to his service, including exposure to risk activities during active duty. The polyclonal lymphocytosis is not shown to be related to any event or incident of the veteran's active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and his active duty service.

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