Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension purposes was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The veteran's hepatitis C and herniated nucleus pulposus with radiculopathy have been granted service connection, and the rating for the herniated nucleus pulposus has been increased to 40 percent.

The Board found that there is no evidence of hepatitis C in service or for many years thereafter, and no competent evidence of a nexus between the veteran's period of active service and his current condition. Service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during or were related to his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as he did not have anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication; or incapacitating episodes. The appeal was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and securing Social Security Administration records. The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are also being considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and initial compensable ratings for migraines, as well as increased ratings for his back disabilities. The veteran's hepatitis was not incurred in service due to his own drug use, while his migraines do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a current disability of hepatitis C related to his military service, and there is no evidence linking his PTSD or erectile dysfunction directly to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B and varicella zoster, finding no direct evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty or any service-connected condition.

The VA granted service connection for hepatitis C, effective October 31, 2002. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining pertinent private treatment records and providing notice of his right to submit evidence in his possession.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of his condition and whether it was due to in-service high risk sexual activity, IV drug use, or alcohol abuse.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was received on August 11, 2003. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted as the claim was not filed prior to this date.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for hepatitis C, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was contracted during his military service. The RO denied the claim in October 1994 as no residual disability from the inservice acute viral hepatitis A was shown. However, because this issue is not specifically addressed in that prior unappealed rating decision, the Board has considered it on a de novo basis. The veteran's current claim for hepatitis C is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the veteran with an opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension, as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and the veteran's active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure or diagnosis. The veteran's statements regarding causation are not considered probative medical opinions.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, including types A, B, and C. The case is remanded for further development.