The Board has withdrawn the appellant's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to his withdrawal. The claim for hepatic disorders, including hepatitis B and C and cirrhosis of the liver, is granted as new and material evidence was received that supports the claim.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence submitted since the February 1982 Board decision includes medical opinions linking the appellant's current hepatic conditions to his in-service drug use and post-service alcohol abuse. The risk factors for hepatitis B and C include intravenous drug use, sharing of infected needles and equipment, and multiple sexual contacts. The risk factors for cirrhosis of the liver include alcohol abuse, illicit drug use (especially cocaine and methamphetamines), and infection with hepatitis B and C.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Hepatic disorder (including hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis of the liver)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 10, 2012
- Citation
- 1230930
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1230930.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied, and he was granted a TDIU. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a 100% disability rating.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder with Insomnia Disorder, was granted. The effective date is set at October 25, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective March 25, 2024. The Board found that the increase in severity of his disability warranted this rating.
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