Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's cause of death was due to alcohol abuse, which developed many years after service. The Board found no direct service connection for the cause of death and denied the claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective October 1999. The Board found that the criteria for a higher initial evaluation were not met prior to June 10, 2003 and beginning June 10, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

Service connection for hepatitis C was denied. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 18, 2004 to January 16, 2009 and a 100% rating was awarded effective on that date.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100% PTSD rating was denied. The Veteran also had claims for earlier effective dates for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and for dependents' education assistance which were not granted.

The Board denied all service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, a back disability, allergies, hepatitis, hemorrhoids, and epilepsy. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service or post-service connections.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder was not incurred in service and is presumed to have pre-existed service. The major depressive disorder and hepatitis C were also not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lung disability and granted a 10 percent rating for hepatitis. The Veteran's hepatitis is manifested by subjective complaints of fatigue, but no significant weight loss or other symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated during his active duty service and denied the claim.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the July 2005 VA examination and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all received evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substance abuse and alcoholism are not service-connected as they were a result of his own willful misconduct. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and depression remain pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's currently-diagnosed hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for hepatitis B residuals.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C was productive of daily moderate fatigue and malaise, but no other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper notice has been provided. The claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and right knee injury residuals will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest during or as a result of his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from SSA. The Veteran's claims of Hepatitis C and low back condition will be evaluated based on whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and liver cancer are not related to his military service, while hepatitis C is not shown to be directly caused by or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection was denied.