Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C should be remanded due to outstanding medical records, specifically Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, to include hepatitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis disability is granted a 20% rating, effective September 8, 2014. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis B, ulcers, and hepatitis C. The decision found no current disability related to these conditions that began during or was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a determination on whether he meets the criteria for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents leading to hepatitis C. The Veteran's service records did not indicate any issues related to hepatitic C, and post-service medical records do not substantiate a relationship between service and his cause of death.

Service connection is denied for a back disorder.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD.,Service connection is denied for an eye disorder.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 60 percent from March 2, 2014 to March 2, 2015. After treatment with Harvoni, the condition improved and a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's diagnosis is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cirrhosis of the liver has been denied as there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for acute kidney damage secondary to cirrhosis of the liver has also been denied, as the Board found that the current condition is more likely due to the Veteran's liver disability.

The claim for service connection for chronic liver disease without cirrhosis claimed as hepatitis C has been denied. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and liver disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of malaria is denied as he does not have current diagnosed residuals.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than the currently assigned noncompensable rating due to lack of diastolic or systolic pressure predominantly meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is not rated higher than the currently assigned noncompensable rating as he does not have intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues and is requesting full compliance with contested claims procedures.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is requested to provide any medical or non-medical evidence linking his conditions to his service-connected mental disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.