Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensable, but a higher rating of 10% has been granted effective from July 2, 2001. The scar associated with the left eye injury remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence to support a service origin of the veteran's hepatitis C and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to alcoholic cirrhosis, which was found to be caused by his service-connected depressive disorder. The issue of dependency and indemnity compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and a lung disorder characterized by shortness of breath due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding VA records.

The veteran's liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating from April 24, 1987 to September 27, 2000.

The veteran's liver disorder, diagnosed as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, was found to have begun during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection was denied for all issues.

For the period from January 27, 2000, to April 30, 2002, the veteran's service-connected multiple GI adhesions of the small bowel were manifested by moderate liver damage and disabling gastrointestinal disturbances without evidence of more than moderately severe adhesions with partial obstruction.,For the period from May 1, 2002, to present, the veteran's service-connected multiple GI adhesions of the small bowel were manifested by moderate liver damage and disabling gastrointestinal disturbances without evidence of more than moderately severe adhesions with partial obstruction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, a back injury, hepatitis C, and hypertension and heart condition. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for a VA physician with an epidemiology background to review the veteran's medical history and provide an opinion regarding his hepatitis C diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current liver findings are likely as not due to an episode of hepatitis during service, and thus grants service connection for the residuals of hepatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and finds that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is secondary to his hepatitis C. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to hepatitis C is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA physician with information to determine if the veteran's fatal Hepatitis C and liver cancer were service-connected. The claims for accrued benefits will also be adjudicated on the basis of evidence available at the time of the veteran's death.

The veteran's hepatitis and dermatitis have been rated based on their current manifestations, but no compensable evaluations are warranted.,A 10 percent rating for dermatitis is granted due to intermittent itching involving an exposed area.

The Board finds that the veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The VA examiner concluded there was no residual from the hepatitis suffered in service, but did not consider all relevant medical evidence. Therefore, a new examination is needed to determine if the veteran has any current hepatitis and whether it is linked to his in-service episode of hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and a need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded to the RO for further action.