Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues related to scars on both arms and forearms, initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis C, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis have all been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a Left Hip Disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the Veteran's service and his death from hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis of the liver, or hepatitis C. The cause of death was determined to be unrelated to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his in-service diagnosis and treatment. Service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors, including shooting a water buffalo and threatening to kill another soldier, were due to his willful misconduct. Therefore, service connection for PTSD was denied as it is not related to an in-service stressor. The VA examination report indicated that hepatitis C may have been contracted during service, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale or evidence to support this conclusion.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's superficial fragment wounds of the upper back, effective from August 26, 2008. Service connection for hepatitis C was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a neck injury, rheumatic fever, and hepatitis. The evidence does not support these claims as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not incur or aggravate hepatitis C during service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of hepatitis are not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disease, kidney disorder, liver disorder and hepatitis B, low back disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were all dismissed as new evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a blood transfusion or other in-service exposure. The Veteran's risk factors for hepatitis C include illegal drug use during service and intranasal cocaine use at age 20.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.