Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and affording a VA examination regarding hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis B were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his time in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board determined that severance of service connection for hepatitis was proper based on the evidence showing the Veteran contracted hepatitis while AWOL.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hepatitis C, as he reported experiencing increased symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and dysthymic disorder (now evaluated as major depressive disorder), prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 28, 2006. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his in-service stressors or exposure. The Veteran's claims were also found to be without merit due to a lack of credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a lacerated chin, bilateral foot disability, edema/itching arms and ankles, hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine the Veteran's in-country service in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine whether the Veteran served in-country in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for edema/itching arms and ankles as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury and back injury. The appeal is remanded to obtain an appropriate VA examination to determine the likely onset and etiology of these disabilities.,The Veteran seeks service connection for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C was incurred during active military service and granted service connection. However, the criteria for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and left lower extremity have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus condition and residuals of a Hepatitis B infection, finding no current disabilities or evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C symptoms as of January 10, 2007 included occasional fatigue and abdominal pain. The VA determined that these symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of a claim after the appellant's death.

The VA denied an increased rating for hepatitis C, currently evaluated at 20 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumptive period, and no showing of continuity of symptomatology after service. The Board also noted that there was no medical evidence linking the current diagnosis to in-service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C, and a herniated disc. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD, no medical evidence linking current symptoms to service or any diagnosed condition, and no evidence of a herniated disc during service.

The Board found that the causes of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate were not incurred in or related to his military service or due to any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that hepatitis C was incurred in service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to blood from wounded soldiers during his active duty service in Vietnam and has a current diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board also finds that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current hepatitis C is etiologically related to this exposure, but resolves this doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted.