Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for additional development of the claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding that there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors. As a result, the preponderance of the evidence does not support the grant of service connection.

The veteran's hepatitis C was rated at various levels based on the severity of his symptoms and liver damage. The initial ratings were granted.

The VA has granted service connection for hepatitis C and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of claim or March 29, 2001. The veteran's condition is currently asymptomatic with normal liver function tests.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that it was incurred in service due to receiving shots via a multi-use jet gun injector.

The Board is remanding the case to search for inpatient treatment records of the veteran during his confinement from March 1971 to August 1971, as he was treated at the 332nd General Dispensary and the 24th Evacuation Hospital. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining these records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence submitted by the appellant. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The RO denied service connection for several conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, status post cardiovascular accident times two, hypertension, status post myocardial infarction, bilateral hearing loss, Hepatitis A, B and C, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected hepatitis B was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective August 31, 2004. The RO granted service connection for PTSD and increased the rating from 50 to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for hepatitis B, a skin disorder, and major depression were denied as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the previously denied claim. The VA examination revealed no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and hepatitis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is likely related to his combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The veteran's death was caused by pneumonia, which was attributed to his service-connected PTSD and other pre-existing conditions such as hepatitis. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. As a result, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318(b)(1) is moot.

The Board found that the veteran's in-service hepatitis was not chronic and resolved without residual disability.,As a result, the claim for service connection for anemia secondary to hepatitis with liver malfunction is denied as it cannot be proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis and other disabilities are not related to VA medical treatment on August 4, 1999. The claim is denied.

The veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 100 percent since July 2, 2001 and prior to that date the rating was increased from zero to 30 percent.