Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, which he attributes to his inservice exposure to blood. The case has been remanded due to the need for a new medical examination considering the Veteran's reported history of inservice exposure.

The Board found no evidence of right brachial plexopathy or right carpal tunnel syndrome during service and denied the claims for these conditions.,For hepatitis C, the Board noted that it was first diagnosed in 2004, 33 years after service. The Veteran claimed exposure to shots by airgun during basic training as a cause of his condition. However, the VA examiner could not pinpoint when the Veteran contracted hepatitis C and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected infectious hepatitis is currently rated as 10% disabling, effective from the date of the examination report (February 2007).

The Veteran's claim for disability compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a liver biopsy performed in July 2003 was denied as there is no additional disability resulting from the procedure.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied both the claim for cause of death and DIC benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from keeping himself clean and avoiding daily hazards, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to hepatoma due to, or as a consequence of, cirrhosis due to, or as a consequence of, esophageal varicies. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hepatitis C and subsequent liver disease were not attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the December 2002 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and thus the claim is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not warrant a higher evaluation, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7354.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues related to scars on both arms and forearms, initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis C, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis have all been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a Left Hip Disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the Veteran's service and his death from hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis of the liver, or hepatitis C. The cause of death was determined to be unrelated to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his in-service diagnosis and treatment. Service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty.