Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C is service-connected. The VA needs to schedule a medical examination and provide further clarification on the etiology of the condition.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to an inadequate medical opinion and new evidence of possible exposure to hepatitis C during service.

For the period prior to June 1, 2016, a rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C was denied.,From June 1, 2016 to October 18, 2019, a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C was granted. The rating is subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of VA monetary benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current and worsening symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C and low back disability have been reopened, and service connection has been granted for the low back disability. The claim for hepatitis C remains pending.

A 40 percent rating for hepatitis C between December 11, 2009 and March 4, 2017 is granted. A higher rating for hepatitis C between March 4, 2017 and February 5, 2019 is denied.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the June 2019 remand instructions and that another remand is required for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's Hepatitis C claim. The TDIU issue is also being remanded to consider whether referral to the Director, Compensation Service, is warranted.

The Veteran's claims of reopening his hepatitis C and skin disorder service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension is rated at 100% from August 3, 2016. The Board has granted a rating of 50% prior to that date, but found no evidence of near-constant debilitating symptoms or two or more episodes of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, hepatitis, and meningitis in April 2018. The decision was based on the absence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a withdrawal of the appeal. The Board dismissed the case as there are no allegations of errors in the determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and potential risk factors. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the condition is related to service, including immunizations and exposure to blood products.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in her account of an alleged military sexual trauma (MST) and a lack of corroborating evidence. The VA will conduct further examinations and provide medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cirrhosis of the liver due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying exposures.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the September 2015 rating decision was not a final decision and did not place the issue in appellate status.

The Board has denied service connection for Hepatitis C and remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, TDIU, and the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with opiate use disorder and stimulant use disorder in early remission is rated at 70 percent prior to March 2, 2018, and after May 1, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records from TrustPoint Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, lung disorder, chronic kidney disease, actinic keratosis, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hepatitis C are all denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence did not support a causal link between her current condition and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability, to include NASH and cirrhosis, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing that the liver condition was caused or aggravated by his diabetes.