Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that hepatitis C began during active service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's claim is not supported by evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The decision also notes that there was no in-service exposure to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse were found to be rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating. For TDIU, the Veteran was granted based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for heart problems (now claimed as left ventricular hypertrophy/ischemia) was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection has also been established for hepatitis B. The Veteran had a positive hepatitis B test result during active duty.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is not service connected, but he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hepatitis C and SMC prior to February 17, 2007 are being remanded due to the need for new medical opinions regarding the severity of his condition during that period.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for epistaxis, chronic hepatitis B, and dysmenorrhea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's liver disability is related to service exposure to DBNP.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for HIV and hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The claims of secondary service connection for right leg paralysis, sciatic nerve neuralgia, and cirrhosis of the liver are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for infectious hepatitis and residual liver disease as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hepatitis C, and PTSD were denied. The case was remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, hepatitis A and B, fatigue secondary to CAD, and dizziness secondary to CAD. The appeals were also remanded for a TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is related to his in-service air gun inoculations and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and subsequent cirrhosis are related to his service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of hepatitis C service connection due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and herpes for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and a liver condition, including liver cancer due to internal inconsistency in the previous opinions and an inaccurate factual premise.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, hepatitis C, and bronchitis have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.