Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected hepatitis C renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was due to his intentional use of intravenous drugs, including heroin, during active service and thus not incurred in line of duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is rated at 40 percent, and his depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent. The effective date for the 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been set to September 22, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis. The low back disability was previously denied, and the appeal is dismissed.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred during service and is more likely caused by his history of IV drug use. As a result, the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during or as a result of his active service, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled hearing and because he is homeless. The RO must schedule a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge and provide copies of all correspondence to the VA facility where the Veteran receives medical care, in addition to mailing a copy to the most recent address of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, and a foot disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was previously denied in September 2005 due to lack of evidence showing permanent hearing loss at separation from service. The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C is not supported by evidence related to active duty service or any other risk factors. The Board also found that the Veteran's foot disorder is not shown to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection. The claim for PTSD is currently pending.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease resulted in an MI in December 2003, but has not led to additional complications. The depressive disorder is service-connected due to its relationship to his service-connected conditions. New evidence has reopened the claim for hepatitis C, which was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C had its onset during his service as a combat medic in Vietnam. By extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, the Board grants service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcoholism, which was a cause of his death from liver failure and other conditions, was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and depression, are found to be rated as follows: Hepatitis C (30%), Depression associated with hepatitis C (50%), and tinnitus (10%). The combined rating is 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.