Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional VA treatment records related to these claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, as well as the issue of a TDIU prior to December 8, 2021. The AOJ is instructed to readjudicate these matters.

The Board has decided that both the claims for hepatitis C virus and cirrhosis of the liver need further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service. The Veteran's medical records do not show any diagnosis of hepatitis C during or after his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis and hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Further development is needed before these claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, including hepatitis C, as there is no evidence of such condition during or near the appeal period.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and TDIU have been reopened. The claim for hepatitis C has been granted, and the claim for TDIU is granted with a combined rating of 60 percent from January 20, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B caused or aggravated his Parkinson's disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's death and service connection claims due to an inability to retrieve documents submitted by the appellant. The appellant is given the opportunity to provide these documents in paper or readable CD format.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder as a result of VA treatment, a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and a low back disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), with alcohol and drug abuse disorder.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent disability rating for his left foot condition, which equates to a severe foot injury with pain and limited range of motion, is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the evidence does not show it was present during active duty or related to service. The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and back conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of a VA examiner who provided an opinion on hepatitis C and cirrhosis. The Veteran requested information regarding this examiner's qualifications, which needs to be obtained.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including new examinations to assess the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities. The appeals of the ratings assigned for these conditions are also being remanded due to inconsistencies in previous examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertensive heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic hemangiopericytoma, with hepatitis B as a significant contributing factor. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and an addendum opinion on the etiology of hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was related to an in-service viral infection and whether his alcohol abuse was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied a restoration of a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C and an increased rating, finding that the Veteran no longer had serologic evidence of hepatitis C infection.