Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, PTSD, and a right leg disorder. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the hepatitis claim, and did not find any link between the claimed disorders and active service.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's scleroderma and cirrhosis of the liver are related to his military service, including exposure to occupational solvents. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic HCV disability is due to disease or injury incurred in service, specifically an in-service blood transfusion during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused or materially contributed to by any service-connected disability, including those presumed due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not found to warrant a higher evaluation as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic hepatitis C is service-connected, with the condition originating during active service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and right shoulder disability are not service-connected. The claim for PTSD is pending as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiorgan failure syndrome, sepsis syndrome, and community acquired pneumonia. The cause of these conditions is not service-connected due to the lack of evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective from September 22, 2005. The decision also reopened his previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that hepatitis C was incurred as a result of active service, specifically due to exposure during combat operations in Vietnam. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending and the initial disability rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, onychomycosis, a bilateral shoulder disability, and varicose veins. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a bilateral orchiectomy was reopened and granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and adjudicating the accrued benefits claim. The appeal is also remanded to consider whether service connection for the cause of death should be granted.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the rating assigned for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it is related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include psychosis and schizoaffective disorder, is also denied.

The Veteran's current hepatitis C condition was not incurred or related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic sinus disorder or residuals of viral hepatitis related to his service. The claim for back disorder and hypertension is pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C infection is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.