Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding that any condition not yet service-connected contributed to the Veteran's death. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have hepatitis B or C as a result of VA medical treatment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and finds that it is more likely than not related to in-service inoculations using an air gun, which may have resulted in a blood transfusion exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective from April 23, 2001. The current appeal seeks an increase in the rating to a higher level.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially granted service connection, but the RO has not assigned a compensable rating for the period prior to July 2, 2001. For the period from June 28, 2002 to June 27, 2002, he is rated at 20 percent. Beginning on June 25, 2009, his rating has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hepatitis B, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic or acute hepatitis during service and concluding that the current hepatitis disorders are not related to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and his claims for hepatitis C and liver cancer were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that it was not incurred in active service or due to a period of one year following service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine headaches, major depression with fatigue, degenerative changes to the knees, tinnitus, Hepatitis C, and a plantar wart on the right foot) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the August 1999 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of malaria. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal on the issue of service connection for a skin disorder.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for hepatitis C service connection and his claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his cause of death, which was listed as hypertensive cardiovascular disease and cirrhosis. The Board found that the appellant's private medical opinion supported her claim that the Veteran's alcohol dependence, secondary to his PTSD, led to his liver disease and ultimately caused his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and was not caused by any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, as it is more likely due to his history of intravenous drug use and promiscuous sexual activity during service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision could be made.