Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, a back disorder, chronic liver disease, depression, tension and anxiety, chronic headaches, and nervous system damage. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Hepatitis C and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing his acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service, and because hepatitis C is not a disease that can be presumed based on its latency period. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as it resulted from the veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection, and a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD since July 1, 2005 is also granted.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and symptomatic hidradenitis suppurativa due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's hepatitis C with liver fibrosis, degenerative disc disease of L4-S1 with spinal stenosis, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been granted service connection. However, his claims for higher evaluations are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory/lung disease (claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure) were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment. The case is being remanded for additional development regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, chloracne, skin cirrhosis, and a tumor of the left parotid gland. The veteran was also denied reopening his claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for hepatitis C, effective July 2000. The veteran's condition is currently characterized by moderate liver damage including stage three fibrosis and cirrhosis requiring prescribed medications, secondary depression requiring prescribed medication; objective observations of fluctuating weight (including weight loss), abdominal pain and inflammation of the liver; and fatigue.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his duodenal ulcer was denied.,The claims to reopen service connection for hepatitis C, syphilis, and gonorrhea were not supported by new and material evidence, resulting in denial of those claims.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder was not established.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his Hepatitis C did not have its onset during active service and there is no evidence linking it to service. The VA examiner concluded that the risk of Hepatitis C due to jet injector inoculations was biologically plausible but less likely than other known modes of transmission such as intravenous drug use.

The veteran's hepatitis C is not the result of VA surgery in February 1971, and it was not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including posttraumatic stress disorder. The veteran's hepatitis C is considered to be related to his military service, specifically due to tattoos obtained during active service and unprotected sexual contact.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and reconstruct missing service records, as well as to clarify the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hepatitis. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service occurrence or aggravation, or nexus between the disabilities and service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.