Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and concluded that the current diagnosis is not related to service. The primary risk factor identified was a tattoo received after separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and injuries to his back, as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities within the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to lack of recent VA examination reports and missing medical records.

For the time period prior to June 2, 2008, the Veteran's hepatitis C was not shown to result in disabling or incapacitating episodes of disability, or cirrhosis resulting in weight loss, impairment of health, liver enlargement, muscle wasting and loss of strength, hepatomegaly, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy.,As of June 2, 2008, the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver became characterized by episodes of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy refractory to treatment. For the time period from April 10, 2001 to October 2, 2002, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from performing substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional consideration by a VA reviewing physician to determine whether the Veteran's seizure disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death, combined to cause death, or aided in producing death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for liver cirrhosis, including portal hypertension and hepatic encephalopathy. The issue is now remanded to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C originated during his active service and was not due to his own willful misconduct, granting service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service. Service connection for Hepatitis C and Residual Scar of the Left Palm are pending due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for hepatitis C was improper and has restored the award.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims file.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, the residuals of hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in an October 15, 2008 decision. The appellant's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and does not have a direct relationship to his military service. The claims for secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and esophageal varices are also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not related to a blood transfusion in service, but denied the claim due to lack of evidence supporting this etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and is not related to any in-service risk factors. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran claims that he contracted hepatitis C during military service, specifically from an air gun inoculation. The Board has determined that the July 2007 decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Detroit is not final and requires further development.

The Veteran's chronic headaches and fatigue are found to be secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C, and he is granted a higher rating for endocarditis.

The Board found no current disability associated with the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis infections, and denied all claims for service connection.