Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected Hepatitis B is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, it is unlikely that service connection can be established due to a lack of direct evidence linking the condition to service or any in-service risk factors.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic prostatitis, hepatitis C, and chronic bronchitis were denied. The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for hepatitis C and chronic bronchitis prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, hepatic encephalopathy due to cirrhosis of the liver, was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current hepatitis and therefore, service connection for hepatitis cannot be granted.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 of Title 38 United States Code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and hepatitis C, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions in either case. The Board also found insufficient credible evidence supporting the Veteran's allegations regarding exposure to Hepatitis C.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as his claim for a deviated nasal septum disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not shown to be related to any event or procedure associated with his December 1983/January 1984 VA hospitalization and surgery, resulting in a denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD have been denied. The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a residual disability due to treatment for prostate cancer is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as the cause of death listed on his death certificate (sepsis) did not result from any service-connected condition. The Board finds that the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher than 70 percent evaluation, and his hepatitis C was not incurred in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C should be remanded for further development and consideration.