Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's infectious hepatitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not result in intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia; or incapacitating episodes with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain having a total duration of at least one week but less than two weeks during the past 12-month period.

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

The veteran's service connection claim for frequent urination as a disability occurring in a Persian Gulf War veteran is granted. Service connection for hepatitis B is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current right knee, right ankle, or hepatitis C disabilities and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from Social Security Administration and providing a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and major depressive disorder, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and is not causally related to service. The evidence does not provide competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current hepatitis C to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasons and bases in their previous decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication; or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks during the past 12 month period.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hepatitis B, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the medical records.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for schizophrenia and denied the reopened claim on the merits. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current Hepatitis C had its origin in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for the residuals of hepatitis C to include liver damage. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and he did not meet the requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits or accrued benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected hepatitis C, maintaining a current 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including notification of new and material evidence requirements and retrieval of service medical records.

The veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by subjective complaints of chronic fatigue and pain in the area of the liver, but objective evidence did not indicate dietary restrictions or other therapeutic measures. The condition was inactive with an undetectable viral load after February 1, 2007.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and further development of the case.