Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to active service.

The Board has vacated its decision denying service connection for hepatitis C due to the presence of a current diagnosis. The case is now remanded for an addendum VA examination opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, while his Hepatitis C claim is denied.

The Veteran's death is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the cause of death was related to service. The appellant's claim for recognition as a dependent child for purposes of establishing entitlement to VA DIC benefits is granted.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is denied as there was no evidence of a blood transfusion at the VA medical center, and his current condition does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.,For the left thumb MCP joint issue, the case is remanded to determine if VA properly obtained informed consent prior to the surgeries and whether any additional disability was caused by carelessness or negligence on VA's part.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow cellulitis and Hepatitis A were denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was reopened, but new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim has not been received.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for psoriasis of the liver, diabetes mellitus, deviated nasal septum, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left ankle disorder, lower back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and Hepatitis C as they are all related to a deceased veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in the date of the claim and a need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's current level of severity and side effects from her hepatitis C treatment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected disability. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Hepatitis C and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a stroke and granted new and material evidence to reopen the claim for Hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on residuals of a nose fracture, facial scars, and headaches were all denied. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, and the reopening of claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and Hepatitis C are being granted, but the right knee disorder is denied. The Veteran receives a 60% rating for his Hepatitis C as of September 30, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal failure is caused by or permanently aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, which occurred after a liver transplant. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis B was dismissed because the appellant died during the appeal process. The Board also remanded to determine if the appellant is eligible to be substituted as a surviving spouse and continue the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing disability under the VA criteria. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year after separation, and his left ear hearing loss did not meet the VA criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's claim for higher rating for service-connected right shoulder disability prior to April 18, 2017 is remanded as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to shoulder level or midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's right knee gout was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective January 11, 2018. His hypertension and hepatitis B were both granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which is secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for hepatitis C and depression was granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) secondary to hepatitis C.