Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, Parkinson's disease, sleep disorder, sinus disability, nocturia, altered gait, right ear growth, left knee strain, gynecomastia, inguinal hernia, priapism, bilateral pulmonary embolism, parotid neoplasms, and hepatitis C have been denied. The Board found no evidence of service connection or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and liver disease (to include cirrhosis of the liver) as there was no evidence to support a direct relationship with military service, despite potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's left leg fracture is not considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is not considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, back disability, and hepatitis B have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was incurred during active service, while his hypertension is secondary to his now service-connected Hepatitis C.

The claim for hepatitis C has been reopened, but service connection is denied. The claims for GERD and IBS related to herbicide exposure or PTSD are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis B, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during his honorable periods of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Hepatitis C and right knee disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives, and additional development is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of psoriasis, hepatitis B and C, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C due to insufficient information regarding their origins in service. The VA must obtain any missing service treatment records, including hospital records from Fort Campbell, and schedule the Veteran for an examination with a clinician to determine if his current hepatitis B and C are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction and infectious hepatitis render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his cognitive impairment, irrational behavior, and inability to perform daily activities. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's pancreatitis is resolved and not currently manifested by recurrent attacks or severe abdominal pain.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for Hepatitis C, which was previously denied. The Board finds that there is new and material evidence to support reopening this claim.,Additional development is required to determine whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is secondary to his service-connected pancreatitis, as well as any current residuals or diagnosis of Hepatitis C.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess whether he has erectile dysfunction that is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and if it was aggravated by his service-connected pancreatitis.,The Veteran also needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any eye condition, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, hepatitis C, and left ear hearing loss disability. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis due to hepatitis C, which is related to his service. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was caused by risk factors during active military service, including air gun inoculations and occupational exposure to blood.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues include service connection for infectious hepatitis, syphilis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disability, including non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, due to Ditert Butyl Nitrophenol (DBNP) exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding when the Veteran was diagnosed with hepatitis C and whether VA's treatment caused additional disability.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), hepatitis C, and hypertension as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression not otherwise specified was granted. The claims for service connection for congestive heart failure with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were denied, while the liver disability (to include hepatitis C) claim is pending and will be remanded.