Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and unconfirmed addresses. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C is granted. The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD related to in-service stressors consistent with his Vietnam service, and he has cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C that may be related to his active military service.

The Veteran seeks compensation for hepatitis C under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, but the claim is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records from September 1971 to March 2001 and August 2006 to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with secondary renal disease and hepatitis B with cirrhosis were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other causative factors.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of these conditions until many years after discharge from active duty, and there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was determined to be a result of his own willful misconduct, specifically intravenous drug use. His depression is not service connected as it resulted from the denial of reenlistment due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is not alcohol-related. The Board found that his use of pain medication for service-connected disabilities contributed to his liver failure and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C. The Board finds that further development is needed, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current or recent hepatitis C.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was caused by a blood transfusion during his military service. The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully evaluate the claim.

The Veteran's adult helpless child, D.S.R., is receiving $37 in apportionment benefits. The Board has determined that an additional $50 per month would not cause undue hardship on the Veteran and grants a $50 increase in his apportionment.

The Board previously denied service connection for hepatitis C, but the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) vacated this decision and remanded it back to the Board for further development. The Veteran claims his hepatitis C is related to in-service cold symptoms, sharing of razor blades, and cleaning up blood after a failed suicide attempt by a fellow serviceman in September 1977.

The Board found no evidence of chronic hepatitis C symptoms during service or continuous symptoms since separation, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, and eye disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining recent medical records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, post-transfusion, was manifested by right upper quadrant discomfort, no food intolerance, occasional nausea, no vomiting, no significant abdominal pain, no anorexia, no malaise, no weight loss, and normal liver function test findings. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that VA did not fail to timely diagnose the Veteran's non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and thus denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder have been granted increased ratings. The hepatitis C is rated at 40 percent disabling, the psychiatric disorders are rated at 30 percent each.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, including hepatitis with possible early cirrhosis and history of leukocytoclistic vasculitis with polyarthralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis (gallstones), and cholecystectomy, is rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no credible medical evidence linking the current condition to his in-service risk factors.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, finding that there are no current disabilities related to these conditions.