Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for hepatitis C and depression is granted. The claim for service connection for shoulder disability is denied, but the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,Additional development is required to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's hepatitis C residuals are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for an updated examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and a TDIU due to lack of service-connected disabilities, despite the Veteran's claim that his hepatitis C was caused by an air gun inoculation in service. The Board found that the Veteran's drug use during service constituted willful misconduct, which barred him from establishing service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C was dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened and granted. The appeal of his claim for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and Hepatitis B were also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and acute hepatitis with kidney and liver problems are denied. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for right ulnar neuropathy prior to August 21, 2014, but his claim for higher ratings for PTSD from that date forward remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various conditions and a TDIU rating. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations.

The Veteran's hepatitis C caused daily fatigue and malaise, but not anorexia or weight loss. He had incapacitating episodes lasting at least four weeks in the past year. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C prior to April 5, 2016, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. However, he was granted TDIU from April 27, 2012.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver were evaluated. The right thumb disability was denied a compensable rating. Hepatitis C was denied ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to April 23, 2015 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. Cirrhosis of the liver was also denied ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to May 23, 2013 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed because the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as the evidence did not support that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for polyarthritis of multiple joints and hepatitis C are granted. The claim for hepatitis C is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The claim for polyarthritis of multiple joints is granted as it was documented in service during the applicable presumptive period.