Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition was related to his active duty service. The reasonable doubt created by this relative equipoise in the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The appeal for hepatitis, and/or residuals of hepatitis, is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service and whether his current conditions are related to such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Hepatitis C was dismissed. Effective dates of February 15, 2012 were granted for increased ratings and effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied. The case for hepatitis C is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for her husband's cause of death, which was determined to be end stage cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was not manifested by intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, or incapacitating episodes prior to October 23, 2012 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for a determination on TDIU prior to October 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a right knee condition and Hepatitis C due to lack of confirmation of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, prostate disability (BPH), and thyroid disability (hypothyroidism) due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is required including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver disease (to include hepatitis B), gastrointestinal disorder (to include IBS and/or Crohn's disease), low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, kidney disease, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions must be remanded to obtain VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the October 2021 rating decision and the need for updated court findings. The Veteran's disability claims are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C and PTSD with alcohol abuse, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 3, 2017 are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at a 50% for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver with hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension and esophageal varices is remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to the issuance of the rating decision.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease, to include infectious hepatitis is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to inextricably intertwined with his rating decision on service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right elbow disability, skin disorder, diabetes, hepatitis C, and cholecystectomy residuals due to additional development of records and obtaining addendum opinions from different examiners.

The Board denied entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran required regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's primary biliary cirrhosis is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 6, 2001 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for Hepatitis C. The decision is based on resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.