Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's current hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis A, which resolved without residuals during service, is unrelated to his current hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has or had a diagnosis of hepatitis C, and if so, whether it is related to service. The claim will be further evaluated after additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied both his claim for hepatitis C and his claim for residuals of a back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis have been granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The Board has also found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, granting a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C, degenerative disc disease and osteophytosis of the lumbar spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy, thyroid disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis were not related to his military service or any incident thereof.

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.