Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for hepatitis C was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's lipomas and headaches have been denied as they are not related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for hepatitis C has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology. The Veteran contends it is secondary to his liver disease (to include cirrhosis of the liver), and possibly due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for liver disease and neuropathy of the lower legs due to missing or outdated medical records.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The rating reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent for cirrhosis of the liver associated with hepatitis C was upheld.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis B are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination. The examiner is requested to review all pertinent records, including service treatment records and post-service medical records, and determine if these conditions began in service or are otherwise related to service, particularly his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is not etiologically related to his military service, and the Board finds that he did not have a current condition during service or continuous symptoms since then.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to military risk factors such as shared razors and air gun inoculations.,Service connection was also granted for GAD secondary to service-connected bronchial asthma and hepatitis C. The Board noted that the Veteran had multiple risk factors for anxiety, including his history of asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver due to inadequate examination opinions and lack of verification regarding exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the cases of chronic arthritis of the neck, depression and anxiety, and Hepatitis B for further development.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and D were diagnosed shortly after his military service, but the VA did not provide a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, specifically addressing risk factors such as intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual activity, alcoholism, and a tattoo.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding his service connection requests. The issues include service connection for various disabilities including hepatitis C, heart, kidney, lung, back, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is at least as likely as not contracted during service due to exposure to blood from air guns or razors in basic training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, a compensable evaluation for hepatitis C since November 26, 2010, and an increased rating for PTSD with dysthymia were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support his claims. However, further development is needed due to unresolved issues related to exposure in Vietnam and other medical conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected. The Board finds the evidence is at least as likely as not that his prostate disability began in service, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was liver cancer, with cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus as significant contributing conditions. As the Veteran had service-connected diabetes mellitus, he is granted service connection for his cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as for cirrhosis of liver (hepatitis B), but has remanded the issues regarding right shoulder condition, bilateral foot condition, acid reflux, rashes over body, sinus and headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.