Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip disability, hypertension, and Hepatitis C were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.,There is no persuasive evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is about his service-connected hepatitis C and the propriety of a reduction from 100% to 10%. He also claims for depression secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and his hepatitis C was likely related to his own IV drug use. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his death was due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C infection is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service risk factors.

The Board is remanding the claim for a rating higher than 60 percent for hepatitis C and duodenal ulcer disease to allow further development, including obtaining medical opinions. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and a right pelvis disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the ring finger of the left hand. The decision is based on the lack of new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hepatitis C has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of laceration to the toes of the right foot due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was previously denied in March 2002, and new evidence received since then is considered material but does not establish service connection.

The Board found that hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the receipt of additional Social Security Administration records and documents from the veteran, which need to be considered in deciding the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in or were caused by his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims based on lack of verified stressors and no medical nexus between current conditions and service.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of infectious hepatitis, finding no current disability related to his in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's disability rating for pension purposes is 20 percent, which does not meet the requirements for non-service-connected disability pension due to his age and lack of a permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock, cirrhosis, and respiratory failure. The cause of these conditions is not related to his service-connected hypertensive heart disease or active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and updating his records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for hepatitis C with portal fibrosis and cirrhosis, to include hepatitis B, and pulmonary sarcoidosis with dry eyes.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disorder are both found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.