Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's experiences in Vietnam provided sufficient evidence of a stressor to support his claim. The other issues involving heart disease and reopening previously denied claims have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, starting December 13, 2003. An effective date of December 13, 2003 is assigned for TDIU.

The Board has determined that chronic hepatitis C and subsequent cirrhosis of the liver are not related to service, including any in-service exposure. The veteran's current condition is attributed to post-service risk factors such as intravenous drug use.

The VA did not provide evidence that their care or treatment caused the veteran's hepatitis C, and thus the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hepatitis C or PTSD. The VA medical records do not show a current diagnosis of either condition, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The gall bladder disorder, hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus are also denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C is not due to or caused by treatment he received for his service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and hypertension as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C disorder, specifically related to his service as a medical corpsman. The case will be reviewed again after a new VA examination is conducted.

The VA determined that the veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's cause of death was found to be caused by cirrhosis, which developed due to hepatitis C contracted from a blood transfusion during service. The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The veteran was not granted service connection for hepatitis B due to lack of chronic residuals, while his bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the cause of death was not due to service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death based on Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's Hepatitis C was caused by a blood transfusion during his VA surgery in 1979, which the Board found to be an event not reasonably foreseeable. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent and credible evidence establishing a link between his military service and the condition.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further evaluation and examination.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hepatitis was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C with consequent liver transplant is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not caused by his duty to handle remains in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and hepatitis C, finding that these conditions did not manifest in service or within one year and were not causally related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.