Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim remains pending as it does not meet the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in active military service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hepatitis C, left knee disability, or psychiatric disability (including PTSD). The veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied as it did not manifest until many years after service. Service connection for the other conditions was also denied due to lack of competent evidence linking them to service.

The veteran's GERD with cholecystectomy and steatohepatitis is rated at 10 percent, but the claim for left leg numbness is denied as there is no current disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for Hepatitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and compliance with VA's duty to assist. The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was incurred during his military service in Vietnam.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion, failure to consider the veteran's lay statements regarding exposure, and failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals for the initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's current hepatitis B and C disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their occurrence during his military service or a direct link to any condition he served with. The Board found that the medical opinion provided by the December 2004 VA examiner was probative and dispositive on the question of whether the veteran's hepatitis B and C were related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during service, resolving all doubts in his favor.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or hepatitis C infection related to military service, and his right arm injury is not linked to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for TDIU will be REMANDED due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a hearing issue and requests for another hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II were not granted. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left hand fracture was denied.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus based on herbicide exposure are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for hypertension, ruptured left ear drum, and hepatitis C are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a skin rash of the feet (Onychomycosis), and a skin rash of the axilla due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his hepatitis C, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7354.