Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for left ring finger contusion residuals and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to service. The right hand little finger fracture claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.,The Veteran’s right hand little finger fracture was rated as noncompensable under DC 5230.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service event or condition, including an air gun injection. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C prior to the specified dates were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions and need for additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis are being remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete information in the DBQ, including regarding his bilateral lower extremity edema, arthritis, and history of ascites. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it relates to a prior date.

The Veteran's right eye disability is not rated as compensable, with his visual acuity being consistently at or above 20/40.,Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hepatitis C and has also granted secondary service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma as a complication of his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's Hepatitis B is being remanded due to missing medical records and inconsistencies in his history. The Board will seek additional information from the Veteran and request any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issue of hepatitis C service connection remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, depression, and an initial compensable rating for hepatitis B due to a lack of examination. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis C, depression as secondary to hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C due to lack of a VA medical opinion regarding the service connection claim. The Veteran's hepatitis C may be related to in-service factors such as vaccinations with jet gun injections or exposure to other individuals' blood.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service-connected due to high-risk sexual activity on active duty. His PTSD, which was previously rated at 30%, is now rated at 70%. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an examination regarding the etiology of hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims for service connection, erectile dysfunction rating, and prostate cancer rating are also being considered.

The Veteran's tinnitus and cirrhosis of the liver claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis have been remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence on record.

The Veteran's liver disorder, including cirrhosis and hepatic steatosis, is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chest pain, hepatitis, lung disease, headaches, residuals of a neck injury, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of a statement of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence does not establish in-service acoustic trauma or chronic symptoms related to these conditions. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology since discharge from active duty.