Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis or competent medical nexus linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's risk factors for hepatitis C and to confirm his diagnosis of hepatitis C. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, which is an acquired psychiatric disorder, was first manifested during his period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence showing a current diagnosis of dysthymia with PTSD traits.,The claims for service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C were not reopened as the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to her military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death must be remanded due to incomplete notification and missing medical records. The VA will need to provide proper VCAA notice, obtain terminal hospital reports, and seek a medical opinion regarding whether any fatal cardiovascular or pulmonary disorder had its onset during the Veteran's period of military service.

The VA determined that there is no competent and credible evidence attributing the Veteran's hepatitis C to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis C, finding that there was no in-service exposure to the virus and no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hepatitis C and liver disorder, other than hepatitis C, and his military service. The Board denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to July 2, 2001 and at a 40 percent rating since then. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Veteran seeks nonservice-connected pension benefits due to permanent and total disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration disability compensation records, and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that Hepatitis C with cirrhosis is not causally related to the Veteran's active duty service and therefore denied the claim of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's exposure to blood products during his period of active service was as likely as not the cause of his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hepatitis C has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizophrenia. The evidence shows that the Veteran had a diagnosis of early paranoid schizophrenia during service and continues to have chronic schizophrenia today. Service connection is granted for this condition. For hepatitis C, there is no medical evidence linking it to active service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic hepatitis C is service-connected, but there is no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of infectious hepatitis was denied, while her claim for service connection for residuals of warts removed from hands located at the right and left index fingers was granted.