Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his scar of the right anterior chest was granted, but he is not entitled to a higher rating. His hepatitis and depression are rated as 30 percent and 10 percent disabling respectively, meeting the criteria for a permanent and total disability pension rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis, which was previously denied in 1994. The appellant's claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of malaria and hepatitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and hepatitis, with a 10% rating already in place for asthma since April 17, 1998.

The VA determined that the veteran's hepatitis A does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation, as there are no current symptoms and the disability is considered healed with no residual damage.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 70% evaluation of PTSD and his claim for service connection for hepatitis. The appeal regarding compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis contracted by his spouse and son due to VA failure to inform him during treatment in November 1987 that he had hepatitis was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, including hypertension. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of hepatitis C was not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis was not incurred in line of duty due to his absence without leave (AWOL) status during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during active service and is not related to his active service. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during or as a result of VA medical treatment and is granted compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's chronic hepatitis with fatigue rating from 10% to 0% was proper, effective November 1, 2000. The veteran is also found individually unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied a compensable rating for hepatitis, stating that there was no evidence of liver damage.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence submitted since the RO's denial in December 1970. The issue is now on its merits.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for hepatitis C disability compensation was denied as there was no evidence of a prior informal claim or private medical records related to the condition before March 30, 1995.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The appeal concerning whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen claims for service connection for ulcers and lip discoloration is dismissed as the veteran did not perfect his appeal.

The veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which the Board finds insufficient to warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's hepatitis C and avulsion chip fracture of the left ankle and fibula are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels under VA rating criteria, with no evidence supporting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain, bilateral flat feet, hepatitis, and chronic gastritis. The decision is based on a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during active military service, and grants entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C.