Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was granted a 20% evaluation, effective from July 28, 2004. His mood disorder/depression associated with hepatitis C with cirrhosis received an initial 50% evaluation from July 28, 2004 to August 24, 2005 and remains at 50%. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension claims are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, malaria, cholelithiasis with gallstone pancreatitis, status post cholectystectomy and hepatitis, cardiomyopathy, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective from May 11, 2007. The right patellar arthrosis and hepatitis C were each granted separate 10 percent ratings effective from May 11, 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not show a causal relationship between the conditions and service. The Veteran's claim for Hepatitis C was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it was related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus and hepatitis) do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, as they are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether there is a 50 percent or better probability that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and a rheumatoid and polyarthritis disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and hepatitis C were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not causally related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for hepatitis C, and his right knee disorder warrants a rating of 10 percent.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain VA medical records and prison records related to the appellant's hepatitis C claim, as well as to consider additional evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, hepatitis C, or rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), finding no evidence of these conditions in service or linking them to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active military service.