Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the current VA medical opinion is insufficient and remanded for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, specifically as a hospital corpsman. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative spondylosis and right and left knee patellar-femoral degenerative changes, cause severe impairment such that he is unable to ambulate without an assistive device such as a wheelchair. The Board finds eligibility for specially adapted housing due to loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis B, finding that her service-connected condition has been non-symptomatic throughout the appeal period and does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected Hepatitis C and whether liver cirrhosis is related to it.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, status-post liver transplant from 100 percent to 30 percent effective September 1, 2014, was improper. The decision is pending as a result of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the Veteran's cirrhosis, hepatitis C, and hepatocellular carcinoma were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The case is being remanded due to the Court's decision that the Board erred by relying on a VA expert’s opinion. The Veteran submitted new medical records and statements, so an updated VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded six issues: service connection for PTSD and substance abuse, service connection for Hepatitis C, service connection for a right-hand disorder, increased rating for right shoulder disorders. The AOJ must issue an SSOC addressing the issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and substance abuse.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, but his Hepatitis C claim is remanded for further review.,PTSD service connection remains undecided as the VA examiner found no evidence of a diagnosis during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, pancreatic cancer, and splenectomy as secondary to hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as he has been employed in various capacities and the Board finds that his employment is not marginal.

The Veteran's gout was granted service connection as it manifested during active duty.,Service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is remanded for a new VA opinion to determine if it was caused by or the result of immunizations via air gun injector during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's symptoms related to his hepatitis C, and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and hepatitis C have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The Board has remanded the claim for a disorder manifested by trouble breathing, including COPD and anemia, as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 24, 2010 for the award of a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.