Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2008

The Board finds that the veteran's hepatitis C is likely due to exposure during service, and he is permanently and totally disabled for VA pension purposes.

The Board finds that the veteran's hepatitis C is not caused by VA medical treatment and thus does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no evidence that the service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to the veteran's terminal cirrhosis of the liver, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death and any diseases or disabilities substantially contributing to his death were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and may not be presumed to have been caused or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further review due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including VA examinations and a review of the claims file.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or any exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a chronic skin condition during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and hepatitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The chronic headache disorder claim is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The VA denied an increased rating for hepatitis C, currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The veteran's symptoms included intermittent fatigue but no incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and hepatitis B due to a need for further examination and development of medical records.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hepatitis C and service connection for PTSD were denied. The VA found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for hepatitis C prior to April 3, 2001, or thereafter. For PTSD, there was no competent diagnosis based on a corroborated in-service stressor.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his age, education, and occupational history.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's request for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, hepatitis C, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied, and his claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD were also denied.