Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities, pes planus, and Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, fibromyalgia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and lymphocytosis are all granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis B and C.,Service connection is established for cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to service-connected hepatitis B and C. The Veteran's other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability, posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD), bilateral knee strain, and liver cirrhosis has been granted. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, with minor weight loss or hepatomegaly. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular threshold for TDIU.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, dysthymia, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and initial rating increases for Parkinson's disease, as well as TDIU. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating and TDIU prior to January 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and C, low back disability, sleep apnea, and hematuria have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his in-service risk factors, including tattoos and high-risk sexual activity. The decision grants service connection for hepatitis C.

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

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by or related to active duty service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, human papilloma virus (HPV), a skin disorder to include skin cancer and penile cancer, a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU and special monthly pension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 17, 2012. The claims are also remanded for an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lipomas was denied in a previous decision, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to active service.,Service connection for GERD is denied due to lack of evidence showing that the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for hepatitis C is denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer, as secondary to hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for residuals of hepatitis B, to include status post liver transplant, due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to military service.,The Veteran's original claim for tinnitus was received on February 13, 2015, and an effective date earlier than February 13, 2015 is denied.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for bilateral knees, shoulders, gout, dizziness (vertigo), sleep apnea, heart disorder, hypertension, hepatitis B, and residuals of a shrapnel wound. The AOJ is instructed to make appropriate requests to the SSA for records concerning the Veteran and to obtain clinical records from his in-service hospitalization.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a low back condition, and hepatitis C due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and malignant skin neoplasms (skin cancer) are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year of service, nor are they linked to his military service.,The Veteran's enlarged prostate gland is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year of service, nor is it linked to his military service.,The Veteran's histoplasmosis is remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a current diagnosis and potential connection to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis of hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), or any other disability that may affect the Veteran's ability to work. The claims are also being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability.