Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a physician regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C, as it relates to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board denied service connection for depression and hepatitis C with liver damage, finding no evidence of a current disability or relationship to military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, for accrued benefits purposes; entitlement to an effective date prior to October 11, 2000, for an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD on a schedular basis or on the basis of a total compensation evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, low back pain, and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is most likely caused by his illicit intravenous drug use during military service, and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice letters. The AOJ will also seek opinions from medical specialists regarding the onset of the veteran's psychiatric disorder and hepatitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of hepatitis A or C, nor do they have related residuals. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, while his claim for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is denied due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues, including scheduling a hearing for the veteran who is currently incarcerated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and initial compensable ratings for Hepatitis B and a residual scar of a left axillary contracture, finding no evidence of current or past hearing loss meeting VA criteria. The veteran's Hepatitis B was rated as noncompensable due to asymptomatic status.

The veteran's hepatitis C and adjustment disorder have been service-connected, but the hepatitis C does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The adjustment disorder has been granted a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional pertinent medical evidence and new evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a conflict in the issues and the need for further development, including informing the veteran of relevant VA regulations regarding establishment of service connection for diseases due to alcohol and/or drug abuse.