Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus is dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The earlier effective date claim for cirrhosis of the liver has been denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service-connected, with the condition likely related to his service in Desert Storm.,The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected, linked to his service from 1991-1991 and diagnosed during service.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied.

The appeal for diabetes mellitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of infectious hepatitis, but service connection remains denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to lack of relevant VA examination records.,Left knee disorder is remanded as there are no current VA examinations available for review.,Right knee disorder is remanded due to lack of current VA examinations and incomplete medical history.,Neck disorder is remanded because the etiology of the condition needs further clarification.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver, are related to his military service. The examiner must consider the April 1969 service treatment records and the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's unauthorized emergency care at Providence St. Mary Medical Center on August 21, 2015 is covered by VA due to the nature of his condition and the availability of alternative treatment options. The partial Medicare coverage does not affect the decision as payment or reimbursement is still warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and PTSD due to missing VA records and a need to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis C, diabetes, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and PTSD due to incomplete records and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, an acquired mental disorder (Antisocial Personality Disorder), and polyarthralgia. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service conditions and his death from hemorrhage from esophageal device and cirrhosis/portal hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis and a back disability due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma (claimed as liver cancer) due to insufficient development of the record. The issues are being returned for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service activities and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B did not begin during or is causally related to military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded both DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for the cause of death due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives regarding treatment protocols, standard of care, and specific treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, liver cancer, portal vein thrombosis, and left total hip replacement due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for a dental condition and remanded his claims for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. The case is also REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver.