Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which resulted from carbon monoxide poisoning due to suicide.

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

The Board has granted service connection for aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency, finding that the medical evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the veteran's current diagnosis of valvular heart disease. The issue of an increased rating for hepatitis C remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support finding that the cirrhosis was caused or aggravated by the diabetes.

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