Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for alcohol abuse, esophageal varices, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatic encephalopathy as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sclerosing cholangitis with cirrhosis, status post liver transplant is granted. The claim for service connection for a colon disorder, to include Meckel's diverticulum, is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 10 percent since July 10, 2021. The claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding who is the proper appellant in this appeal, as well as obtaining authorizations to obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for costochondritis is granted. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of hepatitis due to incomplete records and an updated opinion is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service activities and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided were inadequate and requires another remand to address the cause of death claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further medical evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The hearing testimony provided during his April 2019 Board hearing is considered new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and evaluations for various disabilities. The Veteran's claim for type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure was denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or within one year thereafter. Other disability claims are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hepatitis C has been dismissed due to their passing away. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as they are no longer alive.

The appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeals for increased rating for anxiety and depression, service connection for low back disorder, knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver damage, B-cell lymphoma cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

Right ear hearing loss has been granted service connection.,A compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.,A 10 percent rating for hepatitis C from July 1, 2000 to May 3, 2022 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C after May 3, 2022 remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issue of service connection for cause of death, including addressing the appellant's testimony regarding the Veteran's drinking habits and the onset of his psychiatric disorder. The Board also seeks clarification on the etiology of the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver and whether PAD can be considered a compensable condition related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis B and C due to insufficient information in the previous VA medical opinion. The claim will be further developed.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for further examination and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his Hepatitis C (HCV). The Board will consider whether service connection should be granted based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination and treatment records for hepatitis C, and the need to obtain SSA records.