Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for sinusitis, residuals of finger fractures, or GERD with hepatitis B. Service connection was also not established for swollen and painful joints, pain and pressure in the chest, jaundice with allergic hepatitis from reaction to TB serum, cyst of left ear, eye condition, back pain, hip pain, residuals of a laceration to the left palm, headaches, or left ear condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C originated during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected skin disorders and the development of hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hepatitis C as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C in service or any link to service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine disc disease, hepatitis C, and a left shoulder disorder. The claim for service connection for gastric ulcer was granted with an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking hepatitis C or cirrhosis of the liver to the veteran's service, including any exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C and determined that it was incurred in service, granting the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver is being remanded due to a need for further medical examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, citing lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during or as a result of his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia condition contributed to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HCV, which was acquired through illicit drug use. The Board finds in favor of the appellant and grants service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred between February 14, 2002 and December 16, 2002 is denied. The treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Houston RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to his inability to attend a scheduled in-person hearing. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and low back disability remain before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a low back disability, finding that direct service connection was not warranted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hepatitis to the RO for further development. The veteran is required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions since service.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, including dental treatment or sunburn. The claim was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an appendectomy and hepatitis C, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's current hepatitis C was not present in service and is not etiologically related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.