Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's hepatitis C from August 21, 1998, based on daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, with substantial weight loss and hepatomegaly. The previous lower rating is being maintained as there was no evidence of improvement.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was characterized as a claim for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of right ankle fracture, status post-open reduction internal fixation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of lung disorder including pneumonia, Parkinson's disease was not incurred or aggravated during military service nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred, residuals of a staph infection, pleurisy, prostatitis, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and leg and foot disorders were not incurred or aggravated during military service nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred. The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including lower back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart condition, hypertension, closed head injury residuals, hepatitis, syncope (fainting), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on personal assaults during active duty, and the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to these in-service incidents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and hepatitis B were not incurred in service due to his own abuse of drugs, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and affording a VA examination regarding hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis B were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his time in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board determined that severance of service connection for hepatitis was proper based on the evidence showing the Veteran contracted hepatitis while AWOL.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hepatitis C, as he reported experiencing increased symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and dysthymic disorder (now evaluated as major depressive disorder), prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 28, 2006. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his in-service stressors or exposure. The Veteran's claims were also found to be without merit due to a lack of credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a lacerated chin, bilateral foot disability, edema/itching arms and ankles, hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine the Veteran's in-country service in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine whether the Veteran served in-country in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for edema/itching arms and ankles as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury and back injury. The appeal is remanded to obtain an appropriate VA examination to determine the likely onset and etiology of these disabilities.,The Veteran seeks service connection for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C was incurred during active military service and granted service connection. However, the criteria for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and left lower extremity have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus condition and residuals of a Hepatitis B infection, finding no current disabilities or evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C symptoms as of January 10, 2007 included occasional fatigue and abdominal pain. The VA determined that these symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent.