Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his period of active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability and is therefore denying DIC benefits. The cause of death, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, will be further investigated as it may have been related to in-service herbicide exposure or other conditions.

The claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver has been reopened and granted. However, both cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection. Specifically, VA treatment records are missing, and a new examination is required to assess the current symptomatology of his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal of the service connection claim for tendonitis is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, hepatitis C, and prostate disorder.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 24, 2008 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits due to a timely notice of disagreement filed in November 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty in determining whether the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver was caused or aggravated by his service-connected shoulder disability, including alcohol abuse as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Gilbert's disease with history of hepatitis prior to March 25, 2021, is denied as the evidence does not show that he experienced anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly or incapacitating episodes lasting four weeks or more each year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records show treatment for various conditions during his active duty, but there is no evidence of current disabilities related to those conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his time in service at Camp Lejeune. The claims for a kidney disorder and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, vertigo, and hypertension due to possible association with the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeals regarding hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver have been dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to August 24, 2020 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and liver cancer due to potential service connection issues, including a need for an addendum opinion regarding the preexistence of hepatitis in service and its relation to active duty.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a bilateral hand disorder, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's hepatitis C is being reviewed for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, or both.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a need for further development of the record.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis A, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), right knee condition, and left knee condition to ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C, as the Court reversed the prior denial and found that in-service risk factors were present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions require further examination and consideration. The cases are being remanded to obtain updated medical opinions and potentially new VA examinations.