Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, leading to the dismissal of these cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and fatty liver are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia, as well as for VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran underwent surgeries during service, which may have contributed to his hepatitis C diagnosis. His psychiatric symptoms are believed to be related to a legal hold in Japan.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for Hepatitis C and a rash on his back and groin, but denied service connection for other conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable by December 6, 2009. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted for the period from December 6, 2009 to July 14, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and hepatitis C due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Hepatitis C due to the Veteran's withdrawal at his August 2017 hearing. The remaining issues, including service connection and increased ratings for left knee disability, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus and claw foot with hallux valgus of the great toe and first metatarsal hammertoes is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis C and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disorder, left foot disorder, and migraine headaches. The application for hepatitis C was denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B and/or C infection did not have its onset during service, was not caused by his service, or is otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted in full, with some issues being remanded for further development and others remaining denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, coronary artery disease (CAD), hepatitis/liver disease, and GERD has been reopened. Service connection is granted for the low back disorder and GERD. The CAD claim is denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service or was not caused by the service-connected postoperative tibial fracture with recurrent cellulitis.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's liver disorder, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, is related to his service. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and conduct an examination to determine if any current liver disorder is as likely as not caused by in-service risk factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis C has been withdrawn. The Veteran's facial tics have been granted a 10 percent disability rating, but the issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and must be remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is necessary to determine if the Veteran's death was related to service. The appellant provided lay statements and testimony regarding her husband's condition, but no autopsy report or other relevant medical records have been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess whether his current condition is related to his in-service hospitalization and dental procedures.