Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and a left hand condition were denied as there is no current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these issues.

The VA has granted a higher evaluation of 40 percent for hepatitis C, effective from July 2, 2008. The claim was initially denied but later granted with the current rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of either condition at the time of his appeal, nor was there any credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis B, and color blindness. The case is REMANDED to obtain VA treatment records, authorize private medical records, schedule a VA examination, and determine if there are any new or material pieces of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection. However, his hepatitis C claim remains incomplete as no opinion was provided regarding its etiology.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C and determined that there is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hepatitis C onset was in service or causally related to service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and lumbar radiculopathy was granted. The Board found that the current conditions are related to in-service events or exposures.

The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for hepatitis C due to a lack of issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues are service connection for hepatitis C and waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining SSA records, notifying the Veteran of new regulations regarding PTSD claims based on personal assault or harassment, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's infectious hepatitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and C with liver complications have been rated at 10 percent since July 29, 2004, increased to 20 percent effective July 17, 2008, and to 60 percent effective July 27, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, effective from August 31, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities and Hepatitis C have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for internal derangement of the right knee or a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hepatitis C is not related to his military service, specifically air gun inoculations. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has awarded an initial 10 percent rating for hepatitis B, effective August 11, 2004, based on intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis, claimed as hepatitis A. The additional evidence submitted since the February 2005 decision was considered but did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B is being considered in light of all evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C warrants a 40 percent disability rating, but no higher. The evidence shows constant fatigue and malaise in conjunction with this condition.