Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's history of drug and alcohol use, as well as new evidence regarding his hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. The VA examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, liver disorder (to include hepatitis C), and boutonniere deformity secondary to residuals of finger laceration repair. The Veteran's failure to cooperate with VA examinations prevented a determination on these claims.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, a left knee disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis. The cases of scarring of the lung, tumor of the left thigh, and hyperthyroidism are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's liver disability, including hepatitis B, C, and chronic liver damage. The examiner must consider the transmissibility and symptomatology of both hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as the Veteran's pre-service risk factors (tattoos and unsafe sexual activity) and post-service risk factors (intranasal and intravenous drug use).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's unemployability prior to May 15, 2013. The Director of Compensation Service will determine if an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral nerve damage, respiratory condition (claimed as blood clots in the lungs), and sinusitis.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis B as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred during the Veteran's period of honorable service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, hepatitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Further examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cirrhosis, and sclerosing cholangitis due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, kidney disease stage 1, and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The issues of service connection for kidney stones and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the cases of service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is granted.,Service connection for residuals of hepatitis is granted.,Service connection for residuals of mononucleosis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of infectious hepatitis is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence indicating continued symptoms despite sobriety.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no causal relationship between his in-service air gun immunizations and his post-service diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board noted multiple post-service risk factors for hepatitis C, including intranasal cocaine use and multiple sexual partners.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to a decision.,Service connection for Hepatitis B was denied in the December 1991 rating decision, and the Veteran's request for revision on CUE was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that it was attributable to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities. The decision also expressed no opinion regarding the severity of the disorder or whether hepatitis-related cirrhosis overlapped with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis C, paranoia, and insomnia due to the Veteran's incarceration. The VA needs to arrange for an examination or telehealth interview with correctional facility medical providers.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Korea. The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.