Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service and/or caused or aggravated by his service-connected liver cancer, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in service.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding autoimmune cirrhosis and new malignant growths due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of liver transplant is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and cirrhosis of the liver (claimed as secondary to hepatitis C) are granted. The claims for service connection of tinnitus and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hepatitis C as there is evidence of a currently diagnosed condition and possible in-service exposure, but no VA examination was conducted. The case will be returned to the AOJ with instructions to obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining service department records regarding the Veteran's time in the Army Reserves and for a medical opinion on the cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was caused by hepatitis E.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for chronic liver disease and chronic fatigue syndrome due to incomplete development and lack of a reasoned medical explanation regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to February 20, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter (including hepatocellular disease effective April 21, 2021) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the July 2012 rating decision. The Veteran was also granted TDIU on an accrued basis due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's hepatitis C, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7354.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left shoulder disability due to a torn rotator cuff repair, as well as an incomplete search for informed consent records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout and hepatitis C have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's autoimmune hepatitis and breathing condition (asthma) are granted as service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board found the evidence in equipoise for both conditions, granting them based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to December 3, 2016. The reason is that the Board did not analyze whether the Veteran engaged in marginal employment prior to December 3, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for deciding the claims. The Veteran's eye condition, bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, and hepatitis are all related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis B, both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,The Veteran's Hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability other than hepatitis C, to include cirrhosis, as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's liver cancer is related to his service-connected lung cancer and/or military service in Vietnam.