Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2016

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which she asserts was the result of a blood transfusion received during service. The Board finds that additional VA records are needed to determine if the Veteran's in-service ectopic pregnancies involved a blood transfusion and whether her current hepatitis C is related to this event.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, and hepatitis C have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his medical records and examination findings.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to address the claims of TMJ and hepatitis B.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and esophageal reflux with gastritis were granted service connection, and a 100% evaluation was assigned effective July 2, 2001.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with hepatitis C and post-hepatitic cirrhosis, which the Board finds are related to his in-service air gun injections. The Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, and a skin disability. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, pancreatitis, and heart disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service that is related to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis B, diabetes mellitus, and a sinus disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's ship ran aground off the coast of Vietnam but did not serve on landmass or inland waterways.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for chronic hepatitis C, early cirrhosis of the liver associated with hepatitis C, and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The criteria for increased ratings were not met.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for hepatitis B, hypertension, diabetes, a mild heart attack, adjustment disorder, and a left eye disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's polysubstance abuse disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and hepatitis C is proximately due to his service-connected polysubstance abuse.,Both conditions have been granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or in-service event that would support service connection.,Service connection for amputation of the right fifth finger was granted effective April 12, 2007. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a left eye disability, a skin infection, a groin infection, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's GERD with hepatitis B was found not to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent prior to June 10, 2013 and 30 percent beginning June 10, 2013. The left knee degenerative joint disease issue is addressed in the REMAND portion.