Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted compensation for hepatitis C under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and has also granted reopening of claims for service connection for an eye condition, respiratory disorder, and varicose veins.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence, including VA treatment records from specific facilities, as well as complete and return a hepatitis C risk factor questionnaire. A new VA examination for PTSD will also be scheduled.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis B and hepatitis C disabilities did not have their onset in service, were not related to his MOS as a medical corpsman, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorders. The claim for hepatitis C is not supported by evidence that it was incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a liver transplant. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. For his hepatitis B and C, the Veteran received a 10% rating based on intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, but without incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, frostbite of the hands and feet, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's medical opinion from Dr. T., clarify the type of hepatitis he currently has, and determine whether his bowel disorder is related to his service-connected infectious hepatitis with deficiency of factor 7.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and Dupuytren's contracture in both hands have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran had these conditions prior to his entry into service, but they were not noted at any time during service.,Regarding the right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist from March 1, 2014 onward. The Board found that this condition is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, left ankle disorder, left Achilles tendon disorder, and bilateral knee disorders were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and anxiety disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show a relationship to service. His hepatitis C rating remained at 20 percent, with no new information provided that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that the weight of the probative evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service. The VA experts determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not etiologically related to active military service and identified his long history of high risk behaviors as more likely the cause of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis C was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The HIV claim is granted with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review any of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service. The case will be reviewed again with a new opinion on the issue.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for updated medical records and an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis B and C diagnoses.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, chronic fatigue, joint pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The Veteran is not shown to have or have had visceral leishmaniasis. Joint pain and chronic fatigue are considered as manifestations of his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant notifying the Board of their desire to withdraw the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and hepatitis C, which he claims was caused by military service in Iraq, are related to his service.