Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is etiologically related to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including cirrhosis of the liver and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's Hepatitis C, specifically his exposure to leeches in service and any connection with his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for a new VA opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hepatitis B due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for Raynaud's phenomenon and hepatitis C as the appellant passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder (in sustained remission), and cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. An effective date of October 3, 2013 has been established for his 50% rating for tension headaches. The application to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic alcoholism is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shin splints has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or treatment for the condition.,Barrett's esophagus and hepatitis C are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service, with a request for an addendum opinion from VA.,PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders are also remanded, requiring an addendum opinion on whether they were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service and noting that he engaged in IV drug use during service which precludes him from receiving VA benefits for a disability resulting from willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol/drugs.

The Board denied service connection and compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, finding that the current diagnosis is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection due to potential herbicide exposure, as well as other issues.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relation to service.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide adequate rationale for their opinion.,The Veteran's kidney disability, related to hepatitis C, is remanded due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous opinion.,The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded because the VA examiner did not address whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The effective date for a 10 percent evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination results.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective September 29, 2003. He is also granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the R-1 or R-2 level is remanded due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records. The AOJ should obtain these records and conduct further development as needed.

Service connection for headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.,The claims for cholecystectomy residuals and a colon disorder other than IBS are denied as there is no evidence of any such condition during the period of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issues of esophageal varices, liver disease, hepatic cirrhosis, ascites, portal vein thrombosis, and portal vein hypertension as secondary to service-connected splenectomy. The rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease status post left transverse process fracture is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding liver conditions other than liver cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and his in-service exposure. The VA must provide a new clarifying VA medical opinion addressing all evidence of record, including the Veteran’s contentions.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not due to a service-connected disability and that medications taken for his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his liver disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, loss of balance, chest numbness, right and left upper extremity disability, sleep apnea, COPD, sinusitis, ventral hernia, and a higher rating for the chest surgical scar.