Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA opinion regarding his hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the claims of service connection for difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. The Veteran's other claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, including for a psychological condition and Hepatitis C. The VA is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and provide supplemental medical opinions addressing causation or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to service and was noted on pre-induction examination prior to service.,There is no evidence of a current left shoulder or right shoulder disability, arthritis of the upper extremities, or left knee disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's current disabilities are not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and expert opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a sleeping disorder, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is being remanded for additional medical records and a new examination to determine if it is related to his military service. The left eye injury with corneal scar and nasal injury postoperative residuals are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis A and skin disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for blood disorder (anemia and polycythemia) and kidney disorder (renal cell carcinoma).,Service connection is granted for skin disability due to herbicide exposure under presumptive provisions. Service connection is denied for hepatitis A as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a link to service, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran's blood disorders are found to be related to his service and the kidney disorder may also be secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C and major depression prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and requires further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hepatitis C is granted, effective April 13, 2012. The Veteran has substantial weight loss and daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, and right upper quadrant pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was caused by his service, specifically air gun inoculations and handling bodies and blood. The VA is instructed to provide a new clarifying VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, joint pain, Hepatitis C and an enlarged heart have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is now being returned to VA for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that it is as likely as not attributable to service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a liver disability to include cirrhosis, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service connected right knee and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records. His claim for an initial compensable disability rating for Hepatitis B is also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, finding that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.