Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C due to inadequate medical opinions in previous addendum evaluations. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for infectious hepatitis and hepatitis C, as well as his claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to July 6, 2017. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of infectious hepatitis was granted due to clear and unmistakable error in the January 1969 rating decision, which did not consider fatigue as a residual of hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's service treatment records regarding upper respiratory infections and venereal disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma. The remaining claims of service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, skin cancer, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and COPD are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of current Hepatitis C, liver disease residuals (including liver transplant), and osteoporosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric conditions, gastroenteritis, hepatitis B and C, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and a right wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability. The case must be reviewed with consideration of VA law and policy regarding substance abuse.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, and coronary artery disease due to insufficient information in the service treatment records regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis did not manifest signs or symptoms that more nearly approximated a compensable rating prior to January 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer, hepatitis B, and hypertension due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims will be further developed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, hepatitis, and tinnitus, do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined effect.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by service, including herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of hepatitis C or cirrhosis as being related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 7, 2013.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a 40 percent rating. The case is remanded for further development to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis B, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating based on intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for his hepatitis C disability ratings. The Board finds that the issues are not factually ascertainable and remands for further action.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's service was dishonorable, which means he does not have status as a veteran. Therefore, his claims for service connection for nonalcoholic steatosis hepatitis, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple hemangiomas are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sterility and stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver, both secondary to hepatitis C. The evidence did not establish a current disability or an in-service event that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.