Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran developed hepatitis C as a result of his active military service, and thus grants service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and back disorders are not related to his active military service.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service, and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to post-service heroin use.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, residuals of acute infectious hepatitis, and PTSD. The denial is based on a lack of current medical evidence demonstrating these conditions.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of hepatitis C being related to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed rhinitis and/or sinusitis, hepatitis C, and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as his previous VA medical examination did not address all relevant factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including VA treatment records, personnel records, and stressor verifications. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the presence of PTSD and any current acquired psychiatric disorders. An appropriate VA audiological examination will also be scheduled to assess the etiology of his hearing loss. If hepatitis is confirmed, a VA examination will be arranged to evaluate its relationship with service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C, degenerative disc disease and osteophytosis of the lumbar spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy, thyroid disorder, or rheumatoid arthritis to his military service. The claims were denied as secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a skin condition claimed as a wart condition, a kidney condition, and a prostate condition, all of which were attributed to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for hepatitis C was not supported by evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to June 21, 2005. The RO granted service connection in March 2007 and assigned an effective date of June 21, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C infection was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is not related to service and was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was acquired during his active duty service. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and obtaining missing VA treatment records.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss disability, and liver disease (hepatitis C) are reopened. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess tinea pedis, and scheduling another VA examination to determine the current severity of hepatitis.