Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for hepatitis C or an umbilical hernia, and thus the claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the veteran's Hepatitis C is due to his exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam. The RO/AMC will also conduct any necessary examinations and review all pertinent records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and due process, including obtaining missing treatment records from the Cleveland VAMC.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for left ulnar release and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the service-connected left wrist disability. Service connection for hepatitis C, allergies, and bronchitis was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right hand injury secondary to PTSD. The claims for hepatitis C and low back disorder are pending.

The Board has restored the veteran's 20 percent rating for hepatitis C, effective December 1, 2004, after finding that the reduction was not in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

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

The veteran's hepatitis A and C were not service-connected, but chronic fatigue syndrome was granted as a presumptive condition due to her Gulf War service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right forearm scar, finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and PTSD are not related to his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, sinus headaches, and low back disability. The decision is denied.

The veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and depression or dysthymic disorder, finding no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for drug addiction is granted, but hepatitis C remains not established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).

The cause of the veteran's death was not related to any injury or disease incurred in service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found that the veteran did not have a service-connected condition that contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran likely developed chronic hepatitis B prior to February 1997, and given his service in March 1982 where he was treated with isoniazid which can cause hepatitis, the Board finds reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the veteran. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis B is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.