Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of bilateral hearing loss, and that there was no evidence establishing a current disability or showing that any diagnosed condition is related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for varicose veins, hepatitis C, and left inner ear cartilage damage. The veteran's varicose veins were not related to her service, hepatitis C was not linked to her service, and there is no evidence of a left inner ear disorder in service.,Service connection could not be established for the veteran's varicose veins as they did not manifest during or within one year after her separation from active duty. Her hepatitis C was not related to her military service either.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a right elbow/arm disorder, and a low back disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for hepatitis C with cirrhosis, status post-liver transplant. However, the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran received a blood transfusion during service or contracted hepatitis C from in-service inoculations. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is due, at least in part, to intravenous drug use and secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking Hepatitis C to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an eye injury, depression, and hepatitis C. The claim for a compensable rating for chronic epididymitis was also denied.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, PTSD, and right foot disorder were denied. The denial of the hepatitis C claim is due to lack of medical evidence of current condition. The denial of the PTSD claim is due to lack of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-IV criteria. The denial of the right foot disorder claim is due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left eye disorder and granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for dysthymia and major depressive disorder. The other claims remain denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have hepatitis C and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that he contracted hepatitis C during service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's hepatitis C is of service origin and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of current hepatitis C, as it may be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has found the evidence currently of record sufficient to establish the veteran's entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C.