Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from October 14, 2009 to June 26, 2012. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for liver transplant residuals, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to unclear ratings and potential errors in the service connection process.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C (HCV) based on the receipt of new and material evidence is denied. The Veteran's claim for residuals of bladder cancer is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his in-service activities and his current condition.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is rated at 20 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition due to service-connected Hepatitis C is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for sleep problems due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for hepatitis B, chronic fatigue, heartburn and indigestion, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of Hepatitis C, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C is granted. On de novo review, service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, infectious disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches as secondary to infectious disease or bipolar disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses will be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist, an infectious disease specialist, and a right shoulder examiner.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hepatitis C. The Board granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran contracted hepatitis C during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol and hepatitis C was granted. The cases of digestive problems, stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver with weight loss (related to hepatitis C), heart disease, hypertension, fatigue, renal complications, and chronic depression are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for shortness of breath, PTSD, a low back disability, and hepatitis C are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year after receiving the June 2016 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis B or C, chronic liver disease without cirrhosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including evaluating whether service connection is warranted for cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, and mood disorder as residuals of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his substance abuse issues, leading to intravenous drug use and hepatitis C. Hepatitis C was a contributory cause of the Veteran’s death. DIC benefits are granted based on service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is found to be related to in-service stressors.,There is no current diagnosis of vertigo, so the claim must be denied.,The right shoulder disability and hepatitis C are not service-connected due to lack of evidence indicating a connection to service.,Headaches are not service-connected as there is no indication that they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C have been reopened, and he is now entitled to these conditions. His PTSD remains at a 70% rating due to its severity, but TDIU has been granted.