Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to new evidence received since the May 2010 denial, which suggests a possible link between the condition and service. The appeal is remanded to obtain relevant medical records from Dr. Lawler/Chili Family Medicine.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted service connection, with the condition likely having onset in active duty or reserve duty.,Service connection for hepatitis B remains pending as remanded. The claim will be reconsidered based on a determination of whether it was incurred during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver was caused by his military service or specifically related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board also needs to determine if the cirrhosis is aggravated by his service-connected liver cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to outstanding private and VA treatment records that need to be obtained for a complete evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, liver cirrhosis, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound due to an incomplete record regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The cause of death claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C infection was granted. The case for service connection for eczema is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service.,Secondary service connection was also denied as the Veteran does not have a service-connected condition that could be linked to his cirrhosis or ankle disabilities.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his physical disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's liver conditions, including hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma. The VA is required to obtain a new posthumous medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, Lyme disease, and fibromyalgia as secondary to Lyme disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea and REM-related sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence addressing their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and SMC were previously remanded by the Board, but have been returned to the Board due to a Court Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).,For the period prior to July 21, 2009, the Veteran was not found unemployable based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent for hepatitis B and remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected left shoulder disability, lumbar spine arthritis, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has also been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral knee conditions have been reopened due to the introduction of new and material evidence. However, both claims remain denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis C or a link between the claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination furnished by VA or in a VA facility. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C.

Service connection is granted for myeloid leukemia due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. Other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, tinnitus, and shoulder disability were dismissed. The claim for jaw condition was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss was not found as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hepatitis C and a back disorder due to errors in addressing relevant evidence, including the Veteran's service records and medical opinions.