Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 3, 2017 did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to service, including possible in-service tattoo placement.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, specifically from the Veteran's reserve service. The Veteran needs to provide additional information about her reserve service and any potential exposure to Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's headaches are determined to be secondary to a service-connected acquired psychological disorder (depression).,There is no evidence of tinnitus that was incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service.,The Veteran's back condition did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, nor is it shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.,Hepatitis B is not found to have begun during active service or be otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have a left foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a right foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,Hypertension is not found to be related to the Veteran's military service or manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran does not have a skin condition disorder that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a sleep disorder that was incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B, finding that the current diagnosis is related to the in-service diagnosis of hepatitis. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C. The Veteran must be provided a new VA examination to address whether his currently diagnosed hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service, including his description of being vaccinated with shared needles during his enlistment into active service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating. The Board also recognized the appellant as M.P.'s helpless child due to her seizure disorder, and remanded his claims for hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for primary biliary cirrhosis with hepatitis A is granted prior to April 22, 2019. From April 22, 2019, the Veteran's increased rating claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his terminal conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relationship to service or herbicide exposure.

Service connection for hepatitis C was denied due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's application to reopen this claim is granted.,Service connection for schizoaffective disorder was reopened and granted based on new evidence showing a link between service and the condition.,Service connection for skin disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for OSA is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to potential missing VA treatment records, surgical reports, and a need for further examination. The referred claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, a mental disorder, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any condition during or near the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, vertigo, headaches, high blood pressure, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.,A 20 percent rating was granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been granted. The appeals to reopen these claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's cause of death was hepatocellular carcinoma due to cirrhosis of the liver. The Board found no service connection for any disability and no evidence linking his death to military service or exposure to herbicides.

The claims for service connection for COPD, a lumber spine disability (post laminectomy syndrome), sleep apnea, hepatitis C, angina post laminectomy syndrome, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease to include coronary artery disease status post CABG, and a skin rash have all been denied.,The claim for service connection for the cause of death has also been denied.