Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and renal disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The examiner will need to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran’s active duty service and his current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of the condition during or recent to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the onset of hepatitis C during service and potential risk factors. The Veteran's statements will be considered, but a more detailed examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis B and hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new medical opinions from specialists.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol abuse is denied. The claim of service connection for hepatitis B is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as there is no evidence that the Veteran's current condition was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with liver cirrhosis was manifested by no more than subjective complaints of fatigue, and the Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied due to the absence of an employment handicap. The Board has ordered a new FCE and remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C due to insufficient consideration of medical literature submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to hepatitis C. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, to include sleep apnea.,The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C.,The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.,The Board denied service connection for a pancreas disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.,The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.,The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis B, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, tendonitis of the elbow, and depression due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional medical records and an addendum opinion will be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for heart and bone disabilities, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and evaluation of back disability in excess of assigned ratings are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is likely related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection is granted for narcolepsy as the condition began during active service and is not related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, GERD, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus type II, nicotine dependency, hepatitis C and its residuals, peripheral artery disease, opioid dependency, hypertension (also claimed as high blood pressure), chronic back condition as secondary to multiple myeloma, COPD, multiple myeloma, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and chronic anemia. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's HIV/AIDS claim has been granted, and he is now receiving a 60 percent rating for his hepatitis C.,His asthma claim was remanded, and his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since July 13, 2016. The symptoms include abdominal pain, weakness, and malaise.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, hepatitis C, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and erectile dysfunction due to potential new evidence or clarification of service connection.