Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by delayed care and inappropriate treatment at the Fresno VAMC. The service connection claim is also being remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis B condition and exposure in service. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, liver condition, digestive system condition (Barrett's esophagus), hepatitis C, and renal condition. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential private treatment records. A VA examination is also required for these claims.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C are denied as there is no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to August 5, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, depression, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of medical evidence on record regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii during his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including mid-back fibromyositis, right and left shoulder strain, and hepatitis C, do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected conditions fully preclude all forms of employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, except for a brief period in 2016. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a need for further analysis regarding whether the in-service hepatitis A was an early manifestation or cause of the Veteran's current hepatitis C.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is likely due to his active duty service and considering all medical opinions in favor of a service origin.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A is denied as there is no current disability related to the in-service diagnosis of hepatitis A.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and OCD is also remanded, as there was no stressor reported previously.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reopening of his hepatitis C claim has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his liver condition and cardiovascular disease. The VA will obtain additional records, including STRs and treatment records, and provide new medical opinions addressing these conditions.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,An increased rating to 40 percent for hepatitis B and C is granted, but no higher. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeals regarding hepatitis rating, Crohn’s disease service connection, special monthly compensation for aid and attendance, total disability based on individual unemployability, eligibility for specially adapted housing or adaptive equipment, and automobile and adaptive equipment have all been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as a result of hepatitis C, both on a direct basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is related to his intravenous drug use during service and thus not incurred in the line of duty.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to cirrhosis of the liver, finding that there was no evidence linking PTSD to alcohol use and therefore not contributing substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, finding that his current diagnosis of drug-induced hepatitis began during service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.