Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and cause of death due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion. The case is sent back for further evaluation by a qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's digestive disorders, as well as whether his hypertension, hepatitis C, allergic rhinitis, and colon polyps are related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His left knee, right knee, and neck disorders are not found to be related to service or any other basis for service connection. Infectious hepatitis in-service is denied due to resolution of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's use of heroin for foot pain is consistent with his service-connected conditions. The examiner must provide a clear opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence obtained and the need for additional treatment records. The Veteran's death was caused by upper gastrointestinal bleed, acute heart failure, hepatitis, and renal failure. The Board will determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a bilateral lower extremity disability as secondary to hepatitis C due to conflicting evidence regarding in-service risk factors and post-service diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, and a liver condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service personnel and treatment records from his Reserve and National Guard service. The AOJ is required to contact these units for missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis and infectious hepatitis due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding VA examinations. The Veteran is advised to appear for any scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C, major depressive disorder and anxiety, and an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudicating the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of Hepatitis C, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The liver disease claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a deviated septum, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C due to willful misconduct.,An initial rating higher than 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, is now granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss claim remains pending due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 3, 2016. The Board granted the Veteran TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death and payment of nonservice-connected death (survivor's) pension benefits due to incomplete development and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's gallbladder condition is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's hepatitis C and liver disease are denied as not being related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, chronic liver disease with kidney failure, and a heart disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the conditions existed prior to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct service connections.