Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has decided the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was previously rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2008, and has remained at that level since. The claim is being dismissed as the criteria for an increased evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 40 percent effective from June 12, 2009. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Board found no residuals of past infections with hepatitis A and B, thus denying the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur an injury during military service that caused current testicular atrophy or pain, and thus denied his claim for residuals of a groin injury. The hepatitis C claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's pes planus and hepatitis C are also found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are credible and supported by evidence. The diagnoses of PTSD and hepatitis C have been established post-service, with a link to in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease, claimed as a stomach disorder, and hepatitis C, secondary to service-connected Crohn's disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C is dismissed as his appeal was not timely perfected.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate compensable rating for depression as secondary to hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, which was diagnosed prior to service and aggravated by active service, caused his death. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support this conclusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C are service-connected as they were incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Hepatitis C are pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a noncompensable rating prior to January 5, 2012. From January 5, 2012, he is now assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation for his hepatitis C. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level VI in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C, including lack of an opinion addressing all risk factors and possible etiologies.