Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, residuals of frostbite to bilateral upper extremities, and residuals of frostbite to bilateral lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and reviewing the veteran's claims.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by or aggravated by VA medical treatment, including the prescription of valproic acid and/or Depakote.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and diabetic retinopathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and brain damage. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II are not addressed in this decision summary.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining SSA records and providing notice to the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's liver disability, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of malaria, and residuals of hepatitis. The claim for skin cancer (claimed as basal cell carcinoma) is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, maintaining a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further development, including obtaining terminal care records from the Miami VA Medical Center.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding no credible evidence of the claimed in-service stressor or a link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current Hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and is otherwise unrelated to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis C and a skin rash at his June 2008 Board hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's scars on his left wrist were not incurred in service and denied his claim. The issue of hepatitis C was also addressed, but a VA examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board is remanding the claim to the RO for further development due to missing service medical records and incomplete VCAA notice.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is service-connected as secondary to his PTSD. He also has hepatitis C, which he contends was incurred in-service due to a blood transfusion.,PTSD prior to February 20, 2008: The veteran had some occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for hepatitis B, a right ankle condition, and arthritis of the right knee as secondary to the right ankle condition due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of hepatitis C, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her hysterectomy and cervical spine disability, render her unemployable. The Board finds that she is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin disease, hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis with Felty's syndrome due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The veteran is presumed to have developed these conditions during service.