Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims of hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and asbestosis for additional development. The Veteran's service records indicate he was treated for hepatitis during service, which may have led to his current conditions.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including prostate cancer, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, valvular heart disease, asthma, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his bilateral eye disability and remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C.

VA has received new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, Hepatitis C, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (unspecified depressive disorder and delusional disorder), glaucoma, pancreatic disorder, and diverticulitis. Service connection is granted for the latter four conditions.,VA has denied service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and pancreatic disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, stomach condition, esophageal condition, hepatitis, asthma, and COPD were denied as the evidence did not show a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Specifically, the VA examiner found that the Veteran's diagnoses of iron deficiency anemia, gastric AVM, intestinal AVM, gastritis, candida esophagitis, and corrosive esophageal disease were less likely caused by his presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether hepatitis C contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that hepatitis C was related to service and accelerated the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Hepatitis C have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding in-service stressors and potential service connection.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, and hemochromatosis as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Board has denied a higher rating for asthma and remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis B and TDIU. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C, status post liver transplant and for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA examinations are inadequate, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's symptoms. The issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the issues on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for hepatitis C due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of the Veteran's testimony regarding increased symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for residuals of a left radius fracture was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for left wrist DJD was also denied, with no higher rating supported by the medical evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to in-service air gun injections and remands the case for an additional VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent from June 3, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms did not rise to a level warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case must be remanded due to procedural issues and inadequate VA opinions regarding his liver disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a liver disorder, which may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or prostate cancer residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and denied a compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to February 21, 2017. However, it granted a 60 percent rating for hepatitis C with liver fibrosis after that date. The Veteran was also granted individual unemployability (TDIU).