Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied. Service connection has been granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but the claim is still pending as it was not fully addressed in the January 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and TBI have been granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to noise exposure during service.,Service connection for hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis (liver diseases) is denied, with the Board finding that the liver disease did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not related to service.

The appeals for service connection of hepatitis C, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and a rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.,The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service tattoos and body piercings.,Service connection for low back disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease leading to the current condition, which has been present since 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that both conditions are related to service. Hepatitis C was incurred during service due to exposure to blood from wounded soldiers. Cirrhosis of the liver is secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for DMII, but other issues remain pending as they are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is encouraged to provide any stressor statements or information about anyone who may have heard of the alleged sexual assault during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis is remanded due to the lack of VA examination and post-service treatment records, which could provide evidence on whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of hepatitis C. The Veteran was hospitalized for viral hepatitis in 1974, and there is evidence suggesting a possible onset during service.

The Veteran's brother, the Appellant, is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and liver cancer to receive accrued benefits necessary for reimbursement of expenses related to his last sickness and burial. The claims are currently remanded due to insufficient information regarding the total charges incurred and what amount if any was paid by the Appellant.,The Veteran's brother is also seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or at the housebound rate, which is also currently remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, neurobehavioral effects, and renal toxicity due to exposure at Camp Lejeune have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim due to an inaccurate statement of facts in a previous medical opinion. The Veteran claims he did not receive proper follow-up care for his hepatitis C, and the VA treatment is alleged to have caused additional disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to July 9, 2019 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence meeting the schedular criteria. The case has been referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no worse than Level II hearing acuity in both ears and speech recognition ability of 88 percent in the right ear and 84 percent in the left ear during the June 2019 audiological evaluation.,The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated as 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7354, with a separate 30 percent rating for postoperative residuals of hepatocellular liver carcinoma with liver transplant. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be evaluated separately or combined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, hip, and liver disorders, as well as hypertension, have been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic hepatitis is remanded due to the need for additional attempts to obtain her VA and private treatment records, as well as a current VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis B due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional private treatment records.,The Veteran's hyperaldosteronism and hypokalemia are being remanded as there were insufficient explanations in the previous VA examination regarding their onset, cause, or relation to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's hypokalemia is also being remanded due to inadequate explanations from the previous VA examiner about its relationship to hyperaldosteronism and herbicide exposure.,The Board has remanded the issue of hypertension as there was insufficient explanation in the previous VA examination regarding its relation to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.