Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, and a residual kidney disability, status post left kidney removal. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claim for hepatitis C and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C, and TDIU. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an opinion from a qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, hepatitis C, COPD, AAA, and PVD have been denied. The issues of service connection for a bilateral ear injury and peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities remain pending and are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral dry eye condition but denied service connection for hepatitis. The Veteran's current symptoms of dry eye syndrome are found to be related to his military service, while the hepatitis is resolved and not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous depiction of his disability. He may now have cirrhosis, which could affect his current rating.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis B as it was not caused by exposure to Agent Orange or service-connected conditions, including hepatocellular carcinoma and portal hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C, as there is insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's hepatitis B residuals are rated at 10 percent prior to January 3, 2017, and at 20 percent as of that date. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his military service and his fatal cancer.

An effective date of July 9, 2018 is granted for a 30 percent rating for hepatitis E with cirrhosis, portal hypertension and splenomegaly. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis B, acne, and HIV due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, liver cirrhosis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and diabetes mellitus for service connection as well as the substitution claim due to incomplete notification.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C as the Veteran is asymptomatic and there are no signs or symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims for a liver condition to determine if there is evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis, Bell's palsy, psoriasis, eczema, TMJ dysfunction, and anxiety have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy (claimed as enlarged prostate) was also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.,The Veteran's esophageal reflux was not linked to his service, and thus denial of this claim.,For cervical spine condition and lumbar area pain, the Board found insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims were therefore denied.,There is no indication that the low back disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was incurred in or related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that the risk factors for hepatitis C, such as intravenous drug use and unprotected sex, are more likely causes of the condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuous presence since active duty.,Service connection for chloracne and renal dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that age is more likely contributing factor.,Service connection for hepatitis C (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that it is not a presumed condition of exposure.