Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder with depressive features), and glaucoma were not supported by credible evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptoms. The Board denied these service connection claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disorder, but not for hepatitis or right foot disorders.

The Veteran's claimed hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the required 70 percent for pension eligibility, and his disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected because it was caused by his willful misconduct, specifically drug use. The claim for service connection has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis and therefore, service connection for hepatitis is denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to a relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his period of service, thus granting service connection for hepatitis C on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and a kidney disorder, to include as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service risk factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to her active military service.

The Board has found that there is no current diagnosis of a skin disorder and the Veteran's lay statements do not support a finding of service connection for a skin disorder. The claim for hepatitis C was remanded but development has not been completed.

The Veteran is granted service connection for hepatitis C, as the evidence is about evenly balanced that he contracted the virus during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer and a liver disability, both of which were presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active duty or presumptively linked to herbicide exposure.

Service connection for hepatitis B and hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or exposure. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of a showing of continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from service.,Service connection for hepatitis C was granted based on its relationship to the Veteran's service.

The Board found that the Veteran's fatal liver cancer and Hepatitis C did not have their onset during his period of active service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found that there was no direct evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C to his active military service.

The Board found new and material evidence for the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, but denied all other issues due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, reopening the previously denied claims for hypertension and skin rash, and granting increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, sarcoidosis, residuals of hepatitis B, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are currently rated as 70 percent for PTSD and dysthymic disorder, 10 percent for sarcoidosis, no rating assigned for the other conditions. The appeals for increased ratings for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from VA and SSA. The claims of increased rating for hepatitis C, reopening a claim for heel spurs, and Social Security benefits are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine the etiology of his condition.