Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for left hand arthritis and right hand arthritis.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for hepatitis C, specifically related to potential exposure through air gun inoculations, hand cuts, and shared razors during boot camp.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his period of active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claim of service connection for a skin disability is also remanded due to its inextricability with the hepatitis C claim. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The case is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to asbestos and chemical agents during service, as well as secondary service connection for liver failure and neurological conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis manifested by an abnormal hepatic profile has caused near constant debilitating symptoms since October 8, 2009. A rating of 100 percent is granted for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for his hepatitis C, TMJ, diabetes mellitus, right hip disability, left leg disability, broken teeth, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, deviated septum, left ear disability, right ear disability, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and TDIU. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives regarding service connection for hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis, and metastatic disease. The remand requires further verification of potential in-service exposures at Fort McClellan and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression, an enlarged prostate, and hepatitis B. The Board found no current disability in these conditions at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine their etiology.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The requests to reopen prior final denials of service connection for hepatitis C and a nervous condition (anxiety reaction) are also granted. However, the issues related to left shoulder disability, left hand condition, and hepatitis C require further development.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not attributable to an in-service episode of hepatitis or jet gun inoculations. The evidence does not support a link between his service and his current hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hepatitis and glaucoma due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's STRs from his first period of service are not in the claims file, and efforts should be made to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; hepatitis C; dizziness; hypersensitivity to light and noise; diarrhea; fainting disability; sinus disability; bronchitis; GERD; headache disability; hypertension; chronic fatigue syndrome; sleep apnea; erectile dysfunction; chest pain disability; and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded for the following: obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and completing a TDIU application form; providing adequate VA examinations for sinus, respiratory, GERD, headache, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and chest pain disabilities; and providing an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and liver disability (including cirrhosis and Hepatitis C) due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete information from VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C have been denied.,The Veteran's knee conditions (left and right) and associated scars are being remanded for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of cirrhosis of the liver associated with hepatitis C, as it was not evaluated in the previous examination. The original decision denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C.