Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, arthritis of multiple joints, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is no evidence to support the veteran's assertions that these conditions are related to his active service. The veteran withdrew his appeals regarding arthritis of multiple joints and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, finding no medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, arthritis of multiple joints and back, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and gout were denied as they are not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for PTSD was remanded but no new evidence has been provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensably disabling and his claim for an increased rating for osteomyelitis of the left tibia must be denied. The veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in April and August 2000, which prevented a determination based on current evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his liver disease to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, based on his current symptoms and the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis A, and it is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear due to aggravation during active duty. Service connection was denied for hearing loss in the left ear and hepatitis, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis has been manifested by subjective reports of occasional jaundice with no objective evidence of demonstrable liver damage, gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, malaise, anorexia, or incapacitating episodes. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and denied the claim for service connection.

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

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for jungle rot of the feet and hepatitis. The examiner opined that the current hearing loss was most likely due to post-service civilian jobs.

The Board determined that the veteran's hepatitis C developed due to his own willful misconduct, specifically drug and alcohol abuse during service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's death is not attributed to VA medical treatment, and the cause of his death was due to hypotension resulting from gastrointestinal bleed secondary to hepatic failure.

The veteran's hepatitis C is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a blood transfusion during VA hospitalization in June 1977, and the claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right ear otitis media is denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions, including hypertension, hepatitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, to his service or any in-service occurrences. The Board concluded that these conditions are not related to his Persian Gulf Service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis, and thus the June 1997 RO decision remains final.

The veteran's hepatitis C is most likely the result of a December 1977 surgery at a VA hospital, warranting compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis C. The veteran's left shoulder injury has been rated as 30 percent disabling due to its severity and limitations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a psychiatric examination and reconsideration of the PTSD rating, as well as remanding the TDIU and gastrointestinal disorder issues.