Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. Another opinion is needed from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and gallbladder removal, finding that further development is needed to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. However, the Board found that his PTSD, a service-connected condition, may have contributed to his liver disease and thus caused or materially contributed to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis and remanded it to allow for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the veteran's current skin disability is related to his in-service treatment for hepatitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his in-service hospitalization and his current diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board concluded that the most credible evidence indicates that the Veteran's hepatitis C was likely due to intranasal drug use post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision condition and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw them.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, burn scar of the chin, hepatitis, and initial compensable ratings for burn scars on various body parts are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to internal inconsistencies in previous medical opinions and a need for further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be obtained and an addendum medical opinion is required regarding the relationship between obesity, service-connected disabilities, and the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's authorized representative requesting withdrawal of all issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits. The Veteran was found to have maintained full-time employment throughout his claim period, with no evidence of permanent total disability due to his conditions.

Service connection granted for hepatitis C and right ear hearing loss.,The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his military service exposure to loud noise. Service connection was granted for this condition.,The Veteran's esophageal disability, including Barrett’s esophagus, may be related to his service at Camp Lejeune and contaminated water exposure. The examiner should determine if the esophageal disorder is as likely as not related to service or any incident therein.,Service connection was denied for a bilateral eye disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, liver cancer, liver transplant, a skin disorder, cause of death, and burial benefits due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions (heart failure, chronic hypertension, drug addiction, hepatitis C, and COPD) to his military service.,For nonservice-connected death pension benefits from January 1, 2010 to February 1, 2012, the Board denied the claim due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).,The Board also denied nonservice-connected death pension benefits for the period from January 1, 2008 to February 1, 2009 because of discrepancies in the calculation of the Veteran's last expenses and the Appellant's income.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether unsterile instruments were used during a colonoscopy at the Dallas VA Medical Center in May 2004, which caused him to contract hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, skin condition (rosacea), autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, residuals of liver transplant, and hepatic encephalitis are remanded.

The appeal to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of viral hepatitis is granted. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition, respiratory condition (claimed as asthma), sinusitis, and right eye injury are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma and remanded the cases of hepatitis residuals and fractured right index finger. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, undergo examinations by a qualified medical professional, and have their conditions rated.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis B was denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder and left shoulder disorder were granted service connection based on in-service injury.

Service connection granted for hearing loss as secondary to hepatitis C. A 100% rating is granted from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2019, for CFS. Prior to and after this period, a rating in excess of 60% is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's hepatitis C is being reviewed again to determine if it was caused by his military service.