Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2007

The Board will reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and remand it to the RO for further development. The other claims, including those for a left knee disorder, right eye disorder, HCV, and an increased rating for pilonidal cystectomy residuals, are denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the veteran's fatal cirrhosis of the liver was not caused or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for hepatitis B was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hepatitis B and VA treatment records have not been obtained.,Service connection for hepatitis B remains unresolved as the veteran's claim is pending due to lack of recent medical records and further examination may be required.

The veteran's hepatitis C symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in June 2003. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and genital herpes, finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C to his military service, including any in-service risk factors.

The veteran's hepatitis C and hepatitis B were both incurred in service, leading to a favorable decision on these claims. The rating for hepatitis B has been increased to 60 percent.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's hepatitis, finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 10% evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records from 1974 to 1976 and attempting to secure any relevant ongoing medical records. The veteran will also be scheduled for a personal hearing at the RO before a Decision Review Officer or hearing officer.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C, hemangioma/epidermoid of the parietal skull, bilateral median nerve neuropathy and bilateral ulnar nerve neuropathy, and right shoulder dislocation are not attributable to his period of active service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current acid reflux disease, hiatal hernia, mental stress, and Hepatitis C to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

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

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits based on entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted payment or reimbursement of unauthorized emergency room expenses incurred at Proctor Hospital beginning on January 16, 2005.

The veteran is seeking service connection for substance abuse addiction, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on a verified non-combat stressor. Service connection was denied for Hepatitis C and Herpes Simplex Virus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military duty.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to support the claim.

The veteran's hepatitis C was found to be attributable to service, and not due to herbicide exposure or any other presumptive condition.