Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, a left knee disorder, and bilateral flat feet were denied. Bilateral flat feet was granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and also denied his claim for accrued benefits. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C, diabetes, or any other conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 40 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or substantial weight loss.

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including lung cancer and low back pain. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, OSA, and infectious hepatitis are not related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's drug use during service was willful misconduct and thus not incurred in line of duty.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a nervous disorder was denied in September 1980 due to failure to report for a VA examination. The Board found no CUE and denied the motion.,The Veteran's hepatitis C has not caused symptoms such as intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia or any incapacitating episodes (with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain).,PTSD results in social and occupational impairment but does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total social impairment. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder has resulted in signs and symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, memory impairment, disturbances in motivation and mood, irritability, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, and suicidal ideation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on hepatitis, nervous disorder, and alcoholism claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and major depressive disorder as secondary to hepatitis C. The decision states that there is no evidence linking the current conditions to service, including a laceration injury in service which did not involve blood exposure or use of shared instruments.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher evaluation for hepatitis C and TDIU prior to December 14, 2005 have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and theories of service connection, including a potential link between PTSD, drug use, and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions should be remanded to allow for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for his gunshot wound/shrapnel to low back, with Hepatitis C and abdominal exploration and sub-total gastrectomy was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, hepatitis C, and pulmonary emboli. The issues are related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to ongoing Nehmer development impacting the Veteran's hepatitis C treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma, which is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or service-connected PTSD. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and hypertension are caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities, specifically her TBI.