Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his heroin addiction, which in turn led to hepatitis C.,The Veteran's current COPD was not related to any in-service respiratory issues.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period from December 7, 2012, to August 21, 2016, and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits for the same period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Left Shoulder Disorder, GERD, and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder is rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective March 15, 2021. The Veteran's tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for hepatitis C, but the Board finds that more evidence is needed to determine if it is related to his service-connected disabilities or directly due to his service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than 10 percent. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss must be re-evaluated as part of this remand process.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU, but the Board finds that more evidence is needed regarding his employment status and ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.,Effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have not yet been established. The Veteran must provide updated medical records and VA will determine appropriate effective dates based on these records.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the claims remaining on appeal, so appellate consideration of entitlement to a TDIU rating is deferred pending resolution of the remaining claims.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C resulting from a VA surgical procedure on September 5, 2006 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a cervical disability resulting from a VA surgical procedure on September 5, 2006 is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's possible Hepatitis B diagnosis, including its etiology and whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hepatitis C and tonsil cancer. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's military service and his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the previous decision and the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic liver damage, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service. The Board also found that hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and is unlikely related to any events in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied in September 2010. New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim but it remains pending as the issue is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that no service-connected disability was either the principal or a contributory cause of his death. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and opiate dependence.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis B, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar, cervical, right foot, left foot, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as there is no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's stage II chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The Veteran's nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is remanded for further analysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and the propriety of a rating reduction are being remanded due to incomplete Statements of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bowel and gastrointestinal conditions, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, allergies (allergic rhinitis), skin disability (eczema, dermatitis, or lichen planus), unspecified joint pains, generalized degenerative arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left wrist disability, and finger condition for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his hepatitis C claim was granted. His heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II claims were remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for any diagnosed liver condition, including fatty liver and cirrhosis, finding that his IBS is the predominant disability.