Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and a mental disorder, including anxiety and depression.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including the possibility of receiving new and material evidence and a factual inquiry best left to the Board.

The appeal as to claims for higher initial ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities was denied on jurisdictional grounds due to a lack of timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hepatitis C, finding that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam or any other area where exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange could be presumed. The Board also found no evidence linking the current diagnoses of these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board is remanding the case to provide proper VCAA notice and to consider whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's hepatitis C requires dietary restriction and continuous medication, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation of 20 percent.

The appeal is remanded for additional development of the evidence related to the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and left testicle removal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic hepatitis and residuals of a right leg injury were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's death was due to hepatitis renal syndrome, alcoholic cirrhosis, and hyperketonemia. The Board found no service connection for the cause of death as these conditions were not related to his military service. The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying her entitlement to death pension benefits.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis. However, it did not address whether there was a nexus between his claimed exposure and the development of hepatitis.

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

The Board finds that the veteran has a current diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, finding no competent evidence linking the current condition to service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including a records review by a psychiatrist and gastroenterology examination. The RO must ensure that the appellant has been given full and complete notice of what is specifically necessary to secure a higher rating for his service connected Hepatitis C for the appellate term since June 27, 1994 under both the old and new criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are not service connected. The veteran was denied service connection for both conditions.

The veteran does not have hepatitis C that is related to his military service, and there is no evidence of a blood transfusion during his 1975 VA hospital stay. The Board finds that the veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by any VA treatment or care.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current Hepatitis C diagnosis to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.