Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative spondylosis of L5 and rheumatoid arthritis (presumed due to hepatitis C), rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 25, 2012. His TDIU claim is granted on an extraschedular basis from May 4, 2009.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that December 4, 2017 is the proper effective date based on a reopened claim. The Veteran died in June 2007 and was not previously service-connected for any of the causes of his death.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder, however, has been granted service connection.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder has been established based on a finding that the condition began during active duty and is related to service.

The Board has decided the PTSD and TDIU claims, denying a higher rating for PTSD and granting a TDIU. The hepatitis C claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral eye disorder, tinnitus, hepatitis B, and Hodgkin's disease have been dismissed.,The Veteran also had an appeal for nonservice-connected pension which was also dismissed.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the cause of his condition during service needs to be determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during active service and is not related to any in-service event, injury, or disease. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Hepatitis C.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder and secondary service connection for alcohol use disorder as secondary to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is not a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that an expert opinion from an infectious disease specialist is needed to address whether the Veteran's hepatitis C infection was caused by VA treatment in 2007 and/or 2008, and if so, whether it was due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instances of fault.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for cause of death (DIC) and under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 30 percent for autoimmune hepatitis with history of hepatic encephalopathy is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on aggravation, and her condition does not meet the criteria for any other specific rating under Diagnostic Code 7312.

The Veteran's service connection for Hepatitis A is denied. The rating of 10 percent for right elbow epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is granted effective August 31, 2015. For the period prior to October 2, 2012, a 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee is granted. For the period beginning October 2, 2012, a rating in excess of 10 percent for symptomatic residuals of a right knee meniscectomy is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for Hepatitis A is denied. The rating of 10 percent for right elbow epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is granted effective August 31, 2015. For the period prior to October 2, 2012, a 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee is granted. For the period beginning October 2, 2012, a rating in excess of 10 percent for symptomatic residuals of a right knee meniscectomy is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for Hepatitis C and left foot condition due to potential new evidence received by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition to include sarcoidosis and COPD, hypertension, and liver disease to include cirrhosis of the liver. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's facial rash. The remaining issues, including service connection for PTSD, CAD, hepatitis C, and varicocele, are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, including a possible exposure during military service. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has granted a TDIU from December 31, 2012 based on the combined effects of service-connected depression and hepatitis C. The initial compensable rating for hepatitis C is dismissed as part of a withdrawn claim.