Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver cirrhosis is at least as likely as not related to cholesterol medication prescribed in service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his liver cirrhosis initial rating and effective date issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service air gun inoculations and his current condition. The Board also found other risk factors more likely responsible for the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for urinary frequency and itchy skin have been dismissed.,Service connection for hepatitis C has not been established.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failed to include instructions for a direct service connection on a direct basis. The Veteran's liver disease, including cirrhosis of the liver and hepatic encephalopathy with resulting anemia, is presumed related to in-service herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to link the condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C claim is inextricably intertwined with his claims for liver disease and transplant, scar from liver transplant, and diabetes mellitus. The issues are therefore remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cirrhosis and transplant, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service. The Board also determined that the Veteran's liver cirrhosis and transplant were not secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to incomplete development and the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected back condition and his cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, but the Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of his liver condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and hypogonadism, both claimed as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Addison's disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and remanded. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim.,The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability level does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and liver cancer due to potential errors in the previous opinions and the need for additional development regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service, including a blood transfusion during a tonsillectomy, and his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his enlarged navicular tuberosities.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a 60% rating from March 26, 2018, to December 14, 2019. A separate 100% rating for hepatocellular carcinoma was granted from December 15, 2019, until February 14, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hepatitis, including hepatitis A.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer, finding that the conditions did not have their onset during or immediately after service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were first noted many years after his separation from active duty.