Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and gastritis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current disability of chronic hepatitis B related to his in-service infection, and concluded that his gastritis is also related to his in-service hepatitis.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is related to inoculations administered during active service and the Board has granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disability, right ankle sprain, and hepatitis C. The matter of service connection for cirrhosis is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of hypertension has been denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including mood disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his TBI with headaches remains pending as the issue has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his incarceration and failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied as he has not been diagnosed with the condition during the appeal period. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to address his chronic liver damage.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CAD, PTSD, diabetes, and Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has been granted for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and ionizing radiation, as well as an inadequate medical opinion on whether any current liver disability is related to service. The VA will need to obtain additional treatment records, verify claimed exposures, and provide a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, both linked to herbicide exposure during service. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for coronary artery disease is also being remanded.

The Veteran's death was due to metastatic adenocarcinoma unknown origin, chronic kidney disease, chronic hepatitis, and hypertension. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for cause of death and entitlement to death pension.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatitis C as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The decision is based on a theory that obesity, which developed due to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions, was an intermediary step in causing these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis, heart disorder, squamous cell carcinoma, and gout as secondary to hepatitis due to a lack of clarity in the medical records regarding whether the Veteran had hepatitis at any time proximate to his October 2015 claim. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 4, 2017. The Board found the evidence against a finding that his service-connected conditions prevented him from working.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis C was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Service connection for hemochromatosis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's in-service risk factors likely resulted in the disease. ,Service connection was also granted for GERD, with the Board noting that while there is no contemporaneous medical evidence of symptoms, the Veteran's competent and credible lay statements support a diagnosis of GERD during his first period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance, as well as the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, temporary total evaluation because of treatment requiring convalescence, and temporary total evaluation for hospitalization over 21 days due to Hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of Hepatitis C or indicate that it was related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, colonic polyps, hepatitis C, and hypertension are not resolved in his favor. The cases have been REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.