Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C in January 2007, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service. The decision is not subject to revision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently evaluated as noncompensable due to the absence of symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia, or incapacitating episodes. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and PTSD) were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current disabilities are less likely than not related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for left pulmonary nodule were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a respiratory disability including bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus attributable to service. The claim for alcoholic hepatitis was due to alcohol abuse and filed after October 31, 1990. The left pulmonary nodule has not been shown by competent evidence to result in impairment of pulmonary function.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C is related to his active service.

The Veteran claims entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, which he asserts was caused by a blood transfusion during active duty. The case is being remanded due to the lack of inpatient or clinical records related to his claimed exposure and incomplete medical history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors cannot be verified, and therefore, service connection for PTSD, drug addiction as secondary to PTSD, and Hepatitis C as secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Board denied service connection for depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and COPD. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The veteran's autoimmune hepatitis is granted service connection, and she receives a 30% initial evaluation for her dyshydrotic eczema. The veteran also receives an initial 10% evaluation for her sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating. The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is not service-connected as it is unrelated to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding how the Veteran contracted hepatitis, and further development is needed.

The Board has found that the medical evidence does not preponderate against the appellant's claim to DIC benefits, and thus the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Veteran likely developed hepatitis C as a result of his active military service and has current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information and evidence, including medical records from the Veteran's service and any risk factors for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and left eye disorder (glaucoma) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.