Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's currently existing hepatitis C to his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C, depression, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Malaria, and Hepatitis C. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and denied his claim for depression. The Board found that hepatitis C was incurred due to willful misconduct (intravenous drug use) during service, while depression is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy or stomach problems, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that depression is secondary to his diabetes mellitus, but hypertension and hepatitis B are not related to either service or diabetes. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board is remanding the claim for further development and consideration due to the need for a VA compensation examination to determine if the veteran had hepatitis C during his military service, its current diagnosis, and whether it is attributable to his military service or other risk factors.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Hepatitis C has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis and remanded it for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his hepatitis C and any secondary service connection claims.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim for service connection. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD is addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and depression. The veteran's current hepatitis C was not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. Diabetes mellitus was also not linked to service or herbicide exposure. Depression was not attributable to service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C is most likely due to IV drug use, heavy alcohol use, time spent in jail, or intranasal cocaine use during service. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed hepatitis C is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his employability. The VA needs to obtain an examination and opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, on his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus opinions and a need for further examination. The veteran is seeking service connection for his right knee disorder and hepatitis, which he contends are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, thus denying both claims.