Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates related to various conditions, including a back scar, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of the lumbar spine disability is granted with a 20% rating from January 7, 2010.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with polysubstance abuse (including alcohol) caused or aggravated his liver disease, which contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the current diagnosis is related to in-service risk factors and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's liver condition, which includes hepatitis-B, hepatitis-C, and cirrhosis. The Board found that there is a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to service exposure. The examiner must consider the Veteran's credible statements of in-service blood exposure, his history of intravenous drug use, and CDC information on hepatitis C duration.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his service, specifically his exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's claim is reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has granted service connection for hepatitis C due to IV drug use associated with a service-connected PTSD and major depression.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability and radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding his psychiatric disorder claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2003. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C on a direct basis and remanded the issues of secondary service connection for hepatitis C, skin disorder due to herbicide exposure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for liver cirrhosis was dismissed because he did not file an AMA appeal with the Board within one year of receiving a RAMP rating decision denying his claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient detail in previous VA medical opinions regarding service connection for left knee disability and hepatitis B. The Veteran's left knee condition is being evaluated again, as well as whether the Veteran had a diagnosis of gout or pseudogout during service which could have caused his current chondromalacia. For hepatitis B, the Board needs to determine if it was present during the appeal period and if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD, sleep apnea, enlarged liver disability, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to incomplete development and lack of corroboration of in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 20% from September 21, 2016 to the present. Prior to this date, he did not meet criteria for any higher rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because no rating decision addressing his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of hepatitis C has been issued by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia and IBS due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including a VA examination for status post cholecystectomy and an opinion on the relationship between IBS and her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, and a need for further clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in the VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed and clear explanation for their opinions.