Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension, hepatitis C, skin condition, seizure disorder, and dental disability are not service-connected.,No effective date prior to June 1, 2006 for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the October 2019 remand directives and thus, the case is being returned to obtain a well-reasoned medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis B during the period on appeal and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision, which may affect the determination of whether his current condition was incurred in service.

The Board has requested a VA examination for hepatitis, but the examination was conducted by a nurse practitioner. The examiner concluded that the claimed condition is less likely than not related to service. The case is being remanded for another VA examination conducted by a medical doctor.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left leg varicose veins, right leg varicose veins, chronic hepatitis C, hyperthyroidism, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), hypertension (HTN), cellulitis, and colon polyps due to a scheduling error preventing VA examinations.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma, which were aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board granted DIC benefits based on this cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected pancreatitis.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service-connected and is not related to his service-connected pancreatitis.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and eye condition are not service-connected and are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and any other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for Hepatitis C has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a decision.,The claims for low back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disorders have been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for Hepatitis C, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and opiate dependence. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider lay statements. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in housebound status or aid and attendance needs prior to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis is related to his active duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher disability evaluations for hepatitis C and lumbar sprain. The appeal will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records from September 9, 2022, and readjudicate the issues based on all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C as secondary to PTSD with alcohol dependence due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and left and right knee disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's Social Security disability benefits records are requested as they may contain relevant information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a groin injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a compensable rating for hepatitis C due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to the PACT Act. His eye disorder and liver disorder are denied as not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.