Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C may be related to his active duty service, but needs a medical opinion to confirm this.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as secondary to hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus, type II as secondary to hepatitis C due to insufficient clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the cases of hepatitis B and hepatitis C for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower abdominal disability, including cirrhosis, hepatitis C, pancreatitis, and a stomach condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, as a medical opinion is required to determine if his fatal hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma may be related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hepatic disorder, including alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, and fatty liver disease. The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatic disorders are due to his alcohol consumption and not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to new evidence received within one year of previous rating decisions. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, left foot, left knee, colon disabilities, right eye strabismus hypertropia and exotropia, deviated nasal septum, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on his symptoms and medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis B, and mental disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether hepatitis C is related to service-connected hyperhidrosis and whether new evidence supports reopening claims for bilateral hearing loss and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was received on December 30, 2011. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the earliest possible effective date is December 30, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, anxiety, and depression due to outstanding service treatment records not being available. The Veteran is presumed to have had these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by hepatocellular carcinoma, with other significant conditions including hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and portal hypertension. The claim is remanded to determine if the Veteran served in Thailand or Vietnam and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the initial rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and the initial compensable rating for hepatitis C. The Veteran's back pain is suspected of worsening, and his hepatitis C symptoms need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are granted in part, as they relate to his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. However, the appeal is remanded as further development is needed to determine if PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and ED, but denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, COPD, seizures, MDD, and hypertension. The new evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis B, bilateral eye disability (claimed as vision problems), and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service exposure. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if he has current Hepatitis B infection, bilateral eye disability, and/or bilateral hearing loss that are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the remand was not adequately addressed in the previous decision and requires further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's autoimmune hepatitis, including whether it is related to herbicide agent exposure or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C has been reopened and is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected conditions.