Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2021

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the cause of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as the previous opinion was not responsive to the remand requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's additional disabilities are related to VA carelessness or negligence. The case will be reviewed with a new medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and Liver Damage due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence and an expert opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to June 1, 2017 and the rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C since June 1, 2017 are denied. A 10 percent rating for cirrhosis since January 21, 2020 is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during service. The Board also denied service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that there was no evidence linking it to in-service events or conditions.,The case regarding left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C and for hepatitis C itself, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding the onset of his condition during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's left calf laceration residuals with posterior tibial nerve impairment are granted a 30 percent rating. Service connection for hepatitis C and vasculitis is denied, but the Veteran is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, sarcoidosis, and diabetes mellitus due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 31, 2006. The Board also referred the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2006 for further review.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension is granted with an effective date of October 28, 2013 to January 21, 2021. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting that the Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance use disorder may have caused or aggravated his hepatitis C, and an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the right knee, sarcoidosis, lung damage/chronic bronchitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and congestive heart failure (CHF) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration (SSA), and a VA examination for each condition.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for psoriasis remains at 30 percent, and the claim is still pending. The Board found that his psoriasis does not meet criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria.,For viral hepatitis, the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia with weight loss or hepatomegaly requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication, or incapacitating episodes lasting at least two weeks. Therefore, the current 10 percent rating is maintained.

The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a back disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for high blood pressure is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate previous opinions and procedural issues. The main issue is whether hepatitis C was incurred in service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II to include as secondary to herbicide exposure due to incomplete development and failure of the Veteran to respond to VA notices.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for liver cirrhosis has been denied.,An effective date of May 10, 2012, but no earlier, for service connection for liver cirrhosis is granted.,The claim for service connection for a lung condition was reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to grant the Veteran's claim (new diagnosis and exposure history).,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right eye blindness is denied.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left eye blindness is denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's death, including service connection for low back disorder and hepatitis C, as well as rating and effective date issues for his depressive disorder with panic disorder.