Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and residuals of hepatitis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for clarification on whether he wishes these issues to be withdrawn. If the veteran does not wish them to be withdrawn, the case will return to the Board for further review.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board granted a 100% rating for hepatitis C with liver damage effective November 27, 2000. The veteran's claims for prostate cancer and cancerous ulcer of the stomach were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development of unit records and confirmation of in-service activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and is more likely due to past intravenous drug use, leading to a denial of his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for duodenal ulcer disease, cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation, hepatitis, and the residuals of a contusion of the mastoid.

The Board remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is related to or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis A, B, and C does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there is no evidence of symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia, or incapacitating episodes during the past 12-month period.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was initially denied in October 1991, but the RO granted it on a direct basis effective April 15, 2002. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and glaucoma of the right eye, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The veteran's CREST syndrome is productive of moderate impairment of health, with occasional attacks of blanching or painful hands and esophageal stricture. The RO granted a 60 percent evaluation for the disability.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation for hepatitis with cirrhosis from 60 to 30 percent was appropriate and supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied.,For the period prior to December 5, 2001, a rating in excess of 10% for hepatitis with leukopenia and fatigue was not met. For the period from December 5, 2001, a rating in excess of 20% was also not met.,The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required before a decision can be made on the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The veteran's claims for service connection for liver cancer and hepatitis C were denied, as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would allow for presumptive service connection. The cause of death was determined to be liver cancer, but no service-connected condition contributed significantly to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran was exposed to hepatitis C virus infection during service and her current hepatitis C is related to such exposure, granting service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is as likely caused by his in-service tattoo as his pre-service drug use, and thus grants service connection for this condition.