Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, residuals of removal of shrapnel from the left foot and forehead, and a left index finger disorder. The claims were previously denied in November 2000 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, but concluded that the veteran's contentions regarding in-service exposure were not credible.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for liver disability, hepatitis, and splenomegaly. The veteran's service records did not show any treatment or diagnosis related to these conditions during his active duty. His current symptoms were attributed to post-service medical evaluations.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than November 8, 2004 for a 40 percent evaluation of Hepatitis C disability. The evidence did not show any increase in disability prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is February 15, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of infectious mononucleosis and chronic liver disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA has denied a higher initial rating for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's symptoms have not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective December 10, 2001. The evidence shows intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia without weight loss or hepatomegaly.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death from cirrhosis of the liver.

The VA examiner found that the veteran has a history of yellow jaundice and hepatitis during service, which resolved without residuals. The claim is granted as the evidence does not establish any etiological link between current conditions and service.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for viral hepatitis and service connection for depressive disorder, to include as secondary to viral hepatitis are being remanded due to the need to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, a back disorder, chronic liver disease, depression, tension and anxiety, chronic headaches, and nervous system damage. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Hepatitis C and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing his acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service, and because hepatitis C is not a disease that can be presumed based on its latency period. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as it resulted from the veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection, and a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD since July 1, 2005 is also granted.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and symptomatic hidradenitis suppurativa due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.