Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability was denied, but his PTSD was granted and assigned an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's liver disease, including due to Hepatitis A and C, has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since March 7, 2001. The current evaluation does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been rated at 50 percent since February 15, 2007. The VA found that the PTSD caused significant occupational and social impairment but did not meet criteria for total disability due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, hepatitis B, and erectile dysfunction (due to Agent Orange exposure) are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board finds that there is no direct link between the claimed conditions and active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death and for accrued benefits purposes due to lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic constipation, finding that it is proximately due to medications used for treatment of her service-connected joint pain.,Service connection for hepatitis C was denied as the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to her period of active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development of evidence, including further examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C7, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to a blood transfusion he received as a result of his service-connected PTSD. The issue of bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending and not adjudicated.

The Veteran's pension benefits were denied due to his incarceration. His service-connection claims for left knee, heart, and hepatitis B disabilities are being reopened based on new evidence. The right ankle disability claim is still pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock, bacteremia, and transient ischemic attack. The Board finds that the service-connected diabetes mellitus has played a role in producing or hastening the Veteran's death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a diagnosis during service and the condition was first diagnosed many years after service. The Veteran's exposure to blood and bodily fluids in service did not establish a direct link to his current condition.

The case is being remanded for further development and examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to hepatorenal failure and Laennec's cirrhosis, but neither condition is service-connected as the evidence does not support a finding that either condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C were denied as there is no evidence of current disability that meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral knee disability, impaired memory (claimed as Alzheimer's disease), syphilis, liver disorder (claimed as hepatitis), and paranoid schizophrenia, all of which were alleged to be related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a current hepatitis disability and denied service connection for hepatitis. The Veteran's calluses and gout were not related to his military service.