Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a cardiovascular disorder, and diabetes mellitus. Service connection was denied for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, respiratory disorder, and hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, dizziness, a back disability, a right knee disability, chronic fatigue, chronic abdominal pain, joint pain and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to hepatitis C due to inadequate explanation in the May 2018 decision.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have not more closely approximated a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete reserve service records and a need for clarification on the Veteran's active duty status during her motor vehicle accident in 1984.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, hepatitis C, and arthritis of the lower extremities are all granted as service-connected.,However, his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PVD remain in dispute and need further examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred during active duty. The death of the Veteran due to hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C is not considered related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for VA examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for reopening of hepatitis C service connection is denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including those for Hepatitis C, PTSD, Right Knee Condition, Tuberculosis, Cervical Spine Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, and Diabetes due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and COPD. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or chronicity within one year of separation from service, and that the claimed disorders were not related to medication received in service for syphilis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C with hepatic stenosis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia and secondary to substance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for service connection for a sciatic nerve condition, an increased rating for hepatitis C, and a temporary total disability rating. The earlier effective date claim for hepatitis C remains pending.

The Board denied accrued benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's death due to a lack of pending claims at the time of his death, and because there was no evidence that VA care caused or significantly contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for Hepatitis C and remanded the issue of peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a hiatal hernia as moot because it is encompassed by already service-connected conditions (IBS, hepatitis B, and GERD).

The Board has decided that the Veteran did not have chronic hepatitis or its residuals during his lifetime, and thus denied service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of manifestation within one year post-service and no evidence of onset in service.,Service connection for hepatitis B is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

Service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis is granted.,Service connection for liver disorder (claimed as hepatitis) is denied. The Veteran has not been diagnosed with a liver disability, to include hepatitis, during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also remanded the issue of whether cirrhosis of the liver is related to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol dependence.,The Board found no evidence linking hepatitis C to service and concluded that its onset was more likely due to post-service drug use. For cirrhosis, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if it is caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence.