Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent medical evidence relating it to active service.,The veteran's claims for SMC benefits were granted effective April 5, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder, low back disorder, and hepatitis C. The VA examiner found that current cervical sprain/strain and lumbosacral strain are not related to military service. There is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from active duty for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its rationale and a need for further medical examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for more comprehensive records, including in-service hospitalization records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active duty service, specifically due to combat exposure in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to February 2, 2005. However, it granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD beginning from February 2, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a back disorder, and right leg scars. The liver disorder (variously claimed as hepatitis B and C) was found not to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after these are obtained.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for PTSD, left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (claimed originally as a blood disorder), and an initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence to substantiate the claimed stressor events for PTSD and that the diagnoses of left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were not shown to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C or hypertension related to his service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The veteran claims service connection for hepatitis C, which he believes was acquired while sharing razors in the military. The case is being remanded due to lack of RO readjudication and consideration of newly received medical evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, chondromalacia of bilateral knees, and neck strain. The RO previously denied these claims in April 2002 due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and heart disease secondary to PTSD, effective from February 22, 2008.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence linking his primary hepatoma or Hepatitis C to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran died of natural causes, with cirrhosis of the liver and emphysema as unestablished facts. The appellant contends that his death was due to his service-connected gastrectomy residuals, but a VA physician's opinion could not be provided without speculation. Service connection for the cause of death is granted based on new and material evidence.

The Board granted service connection for liver damage, including Hepatitis C, as secondary to the service-connected PCT and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for PCT.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore DIC benefits are denied. The veteran's hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and COPD were not incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder and hepatitis C are not related to his military service. The veteran's current conditions were diagnosed after separation from active duty, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.