Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted, and the Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion on whether his hepatitis C was incurred during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver condition other than Hepatitis C and for Hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that the condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression. The Veteran's hepatitis C is linked to in-service air gun immunizations and sexual contacts. His depression is linked to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded both claims for neck and scalp cysts, as well as hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a statement of the case (SOC), and an appropriate VA examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder condition, back condition (including IVDS), and Hepatitis B are reopened. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition is denied. The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, paranoia, and insomnia due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits as he did not serve in active duty for at least 90 days during a period of war.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his right knee disability, service connection for hepatitis C and kidney disability (secondary to hepatitis C). The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an earlier effective date than June 29, 2010. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no credible evidence linking it to service or any risk factors therein.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a liver condition other than cancer, to include residuals of Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected liver disease is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes, Parkinson's Disease and parkinsonism, ischemic heart disease (including CAD and angina), bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, macular degeneration, vitiligo, and a heart disability, other than ischemic heart disease have all been granted.,SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to MST, but the claims for hepatitis C, OSA, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD is granted but the rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the nature of the Veteran's service in the Army Reserve from July 1975 to May 1976, and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his GERD, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hepatitis C. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer, finding that the Veteran's conditions were caused by his military service. The cause of death due to liver cancer is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's alcohol and/or drug abuse as self-medication for his service-connected psychological disorders.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C and the TDIU claim due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's weight loss between February 2010 and April 2010 is a key factor in determining his current disability level.