Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the VA opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new medical nexus opinion to address whether hepatitis C is proximately due to, or the result of, any incident of active duty service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and hypertension have been granted service connection due to exposure during service. The bilateral eye disability has also been granted service connection as it is proximately due to the service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for hepatitis B, hypertension, and a bilateral eye disability (diagnosed as bilateral steroid responsive glaucoma status post Ahmed and Baerveldt shunts) have all been established.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted an initial 40 percent evaluation for the period from December 19, 2012 through January 3, 2015. A 60 percent evaluation was granted effective January 12, 2015 to February 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and education on the credentials of VA examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A, finding no current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and liver cancer/tumor secondary to Hepatitis C due to a lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified trauma disorder/PTSD), low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and Hepatitis B. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was denied service connection as there is no evidence linking it to his active service.,From December 27, 2012, to October 29, 2019, the Veteran's schizophrenia resulted in persistent hallucinations and warranted a 100% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it originated during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his left knee disability and hepatitis are denied.,The Veteran's left knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left knee condition. The claim for hepatitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not attributable to his military service and more likely due to drug use in service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is rated at 40 percent, and his left foot disability is granted service connection. The head injury residuals are denied, as well as the low back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sarcoidosis is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion clarifying the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous court directives regarding obtaining a medical nexus opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bone spurs of both feet due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The right foot, RUEPN, LUEPN, RLEPN, LLEPN, left hip, right hip, right CTS, left CTS, right hip scar, lumbar spine, CAD, left knee, right knee, hypertension, and ED conditions are not found to be related to his active duty service. The Veteran's Hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or residuals associated with the condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, headache disorder, Hepatitis C, and seizure disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis B has been manifested by intermittent vomiting and nausea, but not daily episodes. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has found that the VA examinations provided in the March 2021 rating decision were inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran currently has hepatitis C or any residuals thereof, as well as whether he has a liver disability. The new examinations must address the etiology of these conditions.