Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, hiatal hernia, peptic stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, and Hepatitis C were denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, left leg disability (status post fracture), and right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding an initial compensable rating for status post fracture of the right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist.

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

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for hepatitis and PVD, concluding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, Erectile Dysfunction, and Diabetes Mellitus. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran had a pending claim for service connection of hepatitis C at the time of his death. However, he did not have any claims for VA benefits pending at the time of his death and thus does not qualify for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to ambiguity surrounding the origin of his condition and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, hepatitis B, and gastritis are on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for drug-induced hepatitis resulting from medical treatment at a VA Medical Center was denied as there is no evidence of fault or negligence on the part of the VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A, B, and C is being remanded due to the addition of relevant service records. The case will be reconsidered without regard to previous denials.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, but the medical evidence does not associate this condition with his active service. The Board denies entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA specialist regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and whether it is at least as likely as not related to sexually transmitted diseases or tattoos acquired during service. The claim will be reviewed after these developments.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for low back strain, hepatitis, bilateral tinea pedis with ingrown toenails, polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, and polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity have been denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for low back strain effective September 8, 2003, under DC 5292 (prior to September 26, 2003).

The Veteran's hepatitis-C infection and depression are both granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, hepatic cirrhosis, was not caused by a service-connected disability and thus denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and additional burial benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and hepatitis A, B, and C due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis B and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issue of hypertension is addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any other relevant exposure. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing SSA records and other actions.