Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's liver disability and its relationship to service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his service-connected bilateral navicular tuberosities. The VA will obtain addendum opinions as requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and hepatitis C due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hepatitis C render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 21, 2010, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have an additional disability of gastrointestinal ailments, including hepatitis C, as a result of VA treatment from 1972 to 1975. The Board finds that the evidence persuasively weighs against granting the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations and finds it highly likely he did not receive them. The claims are being remanded to attempt to obtain updated contact information for the Veteran so he can be notified of these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma (claimed as liver cancer), finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for hypokalemia, hepatitis B, and hyperaldosteronism as they are neither diseases nor disabilities as contemplated by VA. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam is presumed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, ischemic heart disease as a result of herbicide exposure, and PTSD evaluation. The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination. The ischemic heart disease claim will also be remanded with similar considerations. The PTSD evaluation claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, and allergies. The claims for bowel condition, gastrointestinal condition, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, and skin disability are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further analysis of the Veteran's liver condition.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of service connection for a neurologic disability associated with his back disability, as well as effective dates for various grants of benefits, have also been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis B is related to service, specifically a tattoo obtained in Asia more than 25 years prior. After considering all evidence and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran, the Board grants service connection for hepatitis B.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for the cause of death, including potential links between the Veteran's cirrhosis and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as well as his presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for hepatitis B with duodenal ulcer and service connection for hepatitis C have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and remanded the issue of service connection for migraine headaches due to a lack of probative evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hepatitis C and an earlier effective date for the 20 percent rating are being remanded. The claim for individual unemployability is also being remanded.