Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's new or additional disabilities, including diverticulitis and anastomotic leak complications, were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA during his June 1, 2010 sigmoidectomy at Huntington VAMC. The Board found that these disabilities were proximately caused by VA treatment and granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and hepatitis C. The decision on hearing loss is that it was not incurred in or caused by his military service, while the hepatitis C claim was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to incomplete examination records. The Veteran was not contacted by VA for examinations related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hepatitis C are remanded due to the passage of time since his last VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the rating decision and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and related conditions. The issues are now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further development. The issues include arthritis, hearing loss, cold weather injuries, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, GERD, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's only service-connected condition, hepatitis C, did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from December 9, 2008 to March 2, 2014. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 10 percent since August 2003. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are intermittent and do not require dietary restriction or continuous medication.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate rationale in a June 2021 VA opinion regarding the Veteran's chronic liver disability without cirrhosis. The examiner did not provide sufficient information on whether the condition is related to service, including an in-service hepatitis B infection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hepatitis C, including her service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims for service connection for cirrhosis and hepatitis, as well as DIC, are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death, as well as other contributing causes of death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis C and TDIU prior to October 6, 2009 due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's HCV and cirrhosis.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), cirrhosis of the liver, and hypertension has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, hypertension, back condition, left hip strain, and PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a left eye disorder is dismissed. The appeals for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new evidence submitted by his representative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C is related to service, including his in-service treatment for cold or flu-like symptoms and nausea. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and a new VA examination will be conducted.