Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 29, 2007, due to combined service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on the statutory housebound rate from December 30, 2008.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be asymptomatic and not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for headaches, back condition, prostate condition, bladder condition, kidney condition, hepatitis, and nicotine dependence are dismissed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.,The Veteran's claim for a back condition has been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, specifically in-service immunizations via air gun injectors. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic liver disease and dyslipidemia as secondary to obesity caused by in-service chemical exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B. The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, concluding there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.,Veteran had hepatitis C diagnosed in 2001 and his VA examiner concluded it was not related to his service-connected hepatitis B. However, he did find that the Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his hepatitis B.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to a lack of adequate consideration of the Veteran's contention that he was exposed to hepatitis C through air gun inoculations during service. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is granted. The ratings for his knee and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted, with some periods of time having temporary increased ratings.

The appeal for hepatitis C (claimed as a liver condition) is dismissed. The case is remanded for an evaluation of tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for psoriasis. The lung disability and hepatitis B residuals issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for hepatitis C, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction has been granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by end-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C and alcohol use. Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking his hepatitis C or other service-connected conditions to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with substantial weight loss or incapacitating episodes during the period from August 8, 2001 to July 15, 2006. Therefore, a rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and cervical spine degenerative joint disease was denied. The Veteran received a compensable rating (40%) for hepatitis C, but the Board found no evidence of service connection for his cervical spine condition.

The Board has dismissed the issue of an initial compensable rating for hepatitis B prior to February 4, 2016. The effective date claim for hepatitis C is denied as there is no indication that entitlement arose prior to February 12, 2010. The claims for increased ratings are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss claim. The service connection claims for hepatitis C, kidney disease, osteoporosis, and folliculitis are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD with polysubstance use in remission.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, both related to hepatitis C.,Reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran on both issues.