Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence of any service connection for the cause of his death. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the request for burial benefits.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing medical care. The Board found no causal connection between the Veteran’s death and any hospital care, medical or surgical treatment provided by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, bilateral inguinal and ventral hernias, and entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The claims for hypertension and COPD have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for lung cancer is denied as the condition did not manifest within one year post-service. Effective dates are granted for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than nightmare disorder (claimed as PTSD), was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,Service connection for Nightmare Disorder was granted. The VA examiner concluded it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s diagnosed nightmare disorder was incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis due to a lack of medical examination or opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to his PTSD, and an expert opinion on the cause of his hepatitis will be sought.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and granted. However, the Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service, while his PTSD may be due to a superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records related to his hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver condition, including Hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, basal cell carcinoma on his left temple, and memory loss as secondary to a seizure disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied in an August 2006 rating decision. The RO determined that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and any in-service risk factors.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for PTSD prior to March 10, 2006 is dismissed as untimely filed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending. The RO will schedule him for a VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed all issues due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records, including prison medical records. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service, granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, otitis media, and a skin condition (excluding lichen planus) due to potential service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's representative requested new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver has been reopened and is being remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal varices remains denied as there is no current disability or established link to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis A, B, and C have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected hepatitis.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,The case of service connection for hepatitis C is remanded and will be reconsidered based on the provided information.