Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2009

The Board found that the veteran's cirrhosis of the liver, tinea versicolor (claimed as skin rashes), stomach condition, and depression were not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the grant of service connection for hepatitis C.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's death was due to end-stage cirrhosis of the liver with major risk factors including hepatitis C infection and alcohol abuse, but no disease or injury during active service caused or contributed to his death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied because the evidence did not show that he received a blood transfusion in service or that his hepatitis C is related to his time in service.

The veteran's residuals of a laceration wound of the left wrist with median nerve deficit are not shown to be more severe than currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board's decision from which the appeal was taken is vacated.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a stab wound to the left rib for further development.

The veteran's service connection for hepatitis C was granted based on the evidence indicating it is as likely as not that his condition is related to in-service exposure.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as there was no evidence linking the disability to injury or disease in service, and the earliest positive test result was many years after discharge.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran, service connection for hepatitis C is warranted.

The veteran was granted service connection for Hepatitis C, but the claim for chloracne was denied.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 10 percent for hepatitis C was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, the residuals of a fall, and for COPD, ulcers, arthritis, hepatitis C, depression, and schizoaffective disorder as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the claim for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for death due to treatment at a VA facility, as there was no evidence that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C caused his death.

The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to hepatitis C, which was not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the claim to reopen service connection for hepatitis C was granted.