Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both the cause of death claim and the PCT service connection claim. The suicide appears to have been due to willful misconduct, which is a bar to service connection.

The veteran's death was caused by his alcohol abuse, which was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the cause of death is considered service-connected.

The veteran's multiple disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and physical conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, are found to be severe enough to render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

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

The veteran's chronic hepatitis is rated at 10 percent, and he is denied service connection for his hepatitis C as it was not incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the veteran was exposed to bodily fluids while serving as a medic and thus at risk for contracting hepatitis C. The left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no direct evidence of a link between the veteran's parachute jumps during active duty and his current shoulder or knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various conditions, including a head injury laceration scar, left ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, dehydration, hepatitis B exposure, heart condition, hypertension, chronic respiratory disorder, sinusitis, and post-operative deviated nasal septum.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current Hepatitis C diagnosis and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected hepatitis C and other claimed conditions.

The veteran's appeal for left hallux valgus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development of his right shoulder and hepatitis C claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service, including drug use.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are being remanded due to incomplete records, including SSA records. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C on the basis of new and material evidence, but did not assign a specific rating or effective date as it pertained to this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that his drug abuse in service amounted to willful misconduct and thus barred him from receiving benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's Hepatitis C, including a need for further examination and medical opinion.

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

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

The VA has decided to remand the case for further examination and medical opinion regarding the veteran's hepatitis C, as there is insufficient evidence to determine its relation to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or substantial weight loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Phoenix, Arizona for a Travel Board hearing. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C remains pending.