Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's abuse of alcohol was secondary to, or a symptom of, his service-connected PTSD. The evidence supports the view that the Veteran developed cirrhosis and hepatitis as a result of alcohol abuse, which ultimately led to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective July 2, 2001. The dental condition claim is not supported by any competent evidence of record.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was increased to a 60 percent rating effective May 16, 2008. His gastritis and appendectomy scar were not granted an increase in ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and left ankle condition were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain myositis but not higher. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee status post meniscal repair and anterior cruciate ligament rupture, with residual pain was denied. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and right shoulder disability were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for status post repair of rotator cuff and labral tear and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder but not higher. His claim for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his service, diabetes mellitus, or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's liver disorder claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current liver disorder, and the Board finds that any such disorder is not related to service or service-connected conditions.,There is no separate chronic left leg disability. The Veteran's low back disorder radiates into the left leg but does not constitute a separate condition.

The Veteran's HIV-related illnesses, chronic hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver have been granted increased ratings effective October 24, 2008. The Veteran is now receiving full benefits for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no current disabilities for the claimed conditions and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any of these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 20 percent since October 17, 2006. The rating is based on daily fatigue and malaise without evidence of weight loss or hepatomegaly.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous condition and hepatitis, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of either hepatitis or a nervous condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation of the Veteran's liver disorders, including hepatitis B.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hip residuals, post-operative residuals of bilateral hip replacements, stomach disorder with history of chronic pancreatitis, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his military service, including exposure to herbicides or asbestos. Therefore, service connection was denied for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.