Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, including primary biliary cirrhosis, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no clear evidence in the medical records to support a claim of high-risk behavior during active duty leading to the development of hepatitis C. The Board also noted that the first medical evidence of hepatitis C was 30 years after his discharge from active service.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, and has remanded two issues: Hepatitis B and C. The other issues have been stayed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for infectious hepatitis and bowel disorder due to missing VA examinations, and requests that he undergo further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and liver disease due to a lack of a VA examination, which is necessary to determine if there is a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis, including hepatitis C or infectious hepatitis is remanded. The claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with parenchymal liver disease is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective July 9, 2019. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise regarding the severity of his condition and granted an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including nosebleeds, neck disorder, allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, bilateral knee disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding no new and relevant evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left knee and hepatitis B and C are denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is remanded for further examination, and his TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons provided for denying dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran’s death, specifically addressing issues related to VA's medical treatment and discharge.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left shoulder disorders have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals for these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits in excess of $11,989.00 as there was no legal basis to grant this benefit and the appellant is not the surviving spouse eligible for a month-of-death check.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating from September 1, 2016 to January 24, 2017. The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, and liver condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of a respiratory condition due to ionizing radiation exposure. The initial rating for hepatitis C remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in anatomical loss or use of both feet, blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less, or permanent bedridden status. The Board denied the claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to lack of evidence supporting such needs.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the hepatitis C claim.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, resulting in a grant of service connection.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being caused by a service-connected disability. Service connection was granted based on aggravation by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,The cause of death, hepatocellular carcinoma resulting from hepatitis C, is recognized as service-connected.,An increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted due to its severity and impact on employment.,TDIU is granted based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for all of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including Hepatitis C, angina, bone cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression or anxiety), erectile dysfunction, GERD, herpes, hypertension, jaw disability, left arm disability, left knee disability, left leg disability, left shoulder disability, lung cancer, prostate cancer, sinusitis, and sore throat. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for any of these conditions.