Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, GERD, diabetes mellitus II, gastrointestinal disorder, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and esophageal varices.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma due to chronic hepatitis C infection, is service-connected. The appeal for accrued benefits was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis of the liver and hiatal hernia repair with residual ventral hernia, as well as his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence or examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cirrhosis of the liver secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and an increased rating for his hiatal hernia repair with residual ventral hernia. His TDIU claim has also been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The hepatitis C and hypertension claims are remanded due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests.

The Veteran's hepatitis C symptoms were manifested by daily fatigue and malaise, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 20 percent rating was granted from July 28, 2010 to September 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease secondary to now service-connected hepatitis C.,Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, liver disability (claimed as hepatitis C), AAA, and impaired glucose tolerance due to in-service tattoo exposure and VA treatment records from prior to the mid-1990s.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C, hypertension, and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records that have not been considered yet.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's obesity, which may have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, contributed to his cause of death (cirrhosis).

The Board has remanded the cases of sarcoidosis and infectious hepatitis for further examination and opinion to address service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, OSA, and back conditions, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum to address the Veteran's hepatitis C claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis B and duodenal ulcer, as well as service connection for hepatitis C due to insufficient development.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the condition did not manifest during service and is etiologically unrelated to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions provided by a general practice Nurse Practitioner.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture to midshaft right metacarpal. The remaining issues, including hepatitis B, chronic digestive disability, IBS, and polyp removal, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for his bilateral degenerative joint disease of the feet and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and depression have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy has been granted.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2006 to November 26, 2007. The criteria for TDIU were met as the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.