Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for infectious hepatitis and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as well as the claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to December 5, 2012. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing all contentions regarding exposure to hepatitis C.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a liver disability. The Veteran's claim will be further examined and evaluated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD, hepatitis C, back disability, and bilateral foot disability are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions. His TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with his PTSD rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, requiring additional development and adjudication of the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected digestive disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and initial ratings for disabilities, including fluoroquinolone toxicity, fibromyalgia, drug and alcohol dependency, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C, and a low back disability. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C as there is no current disability.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a causal link between the May 2004 colonoscopy at the Dallas VAMC and the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his liver and kidney disease were not caused or aggravated by his use of Oxycontin to treat low back pain related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD-associated IV drug use dependence, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding denial of service connection for liver cancer, reduction of disability ratings for cirrhosis status post ascities, hepatic encephalopathy and splenomegaly, reduction of disability rating for hepatitis C, and discontinuation of SMC due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B and its residuals, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including Hepatitis B and hypertension. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Hepatitis B residuals have been denied. The current ratings are considered appropriate.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis C have been granted service connection.,For the temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 based on hospitalization for complications from service-connected hepatitis C, additional evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand instructions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis, including hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis, hypertension, and esophageal varices have been denied.,It was determined that the conditions were not due to or aggravated by his active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions provided are inadequate and requires further examination to address whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and PAD are secondary to his service-connected PTSD, substance abuse, or other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service. The Veteran's in-service positive hepatitis B test results and subsequent treatment do not support a claim for hepatitis C.