Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for depression as secondary to hepatitis C due to insufficient development and lack of an adequate opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to adenocarcinoma, which the VA examiner opined was less likely than not caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service.,The Appellant is also denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, laparoscopic hernia repair, PTSD, and liver cancer as secondary to hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to the service-connected anxiety disorder. The lumbar spine and right hip disorders are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms. Service connection for chronic hepatitis C is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of sarcoidosis and cirrhosis of the liver is denied. A 30 percent rating is granted for sarcoidosis with manifestations in both lungs and liver.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, left knee disability, and bilateral flat feet due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for dental disability, hepatitis B and/or C, and bilateral foot condition due to inadequate efforts in arranging examinations while he was incarcerated. The Veteran is required to undergo further medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to compensation for hepatitis C under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate opinions in the past, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for urethritis, but the Board finds that he does not have any current symptoms of voiding dysfunction related to his service-connected urethritis. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has been diagnosed and may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was previously gainfully employed prior to February 1, 2019, and is therefore not entitled to a TDIU for that period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C, including in-service treatment for a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.

The Board has reopened the claims for hepatitis C and eczema, but both issues are remanded for further development.

A rating of 20 percent for hepatitis C is granted from December 8, 2008 to March 1, 2012. A rating more than 60 percent for hepatitis C is denied effective March 2, 2012.,TDIU is granted effective April 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hodgkin's disease and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and residuals of hepatitis C have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and lumbar spine disorder, all secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.,Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions directly to service or service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psychosis under 38 U.S.C. § 1702, finding that an active psychosis did not develop within two years of his separation from service. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that anxiety disorder, hepatitis, hemorrhoids, and in-service treatment for dengue fever and ulcers substantially or materially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver disorder, including stage IV liver disease, NASH, hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.