Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and the Board denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to be service-connected, as the evidence did not show that it occurred in or was caused by his active duty service.,Service connection for left and right thumb disorders were denied because there was no established diagnosis of these conditions during service or at any time thereafter. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not appear to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B with cirrhosis of the liver has been granted a rating in excess of 50 percent, but no higher, effective November 4, 2022. The Board found that there was one episode of ascites from this date onward.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, colon polyps, digestive system disorder (including hernia), and hepatitis C. The claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues are dismissed as moot due to prior grant of benefits.,The Veteran's claims for treatment purposes under 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 for various conditions remain pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance from April 21, 2021.

The Veteran's asthma has not resulted in the required symptoms for a compensable rating.,His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.,There is no evidence of hepatitis C or any related condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI. The Veteran's psychiatric disability remains the focus of his appeal, with hepatitis C secondary to that disability also being addressed.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The hepatitis and right ear hearing loss claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cholangiocarcinoma has been denied. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are intermittent and do not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service. The claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a liver disability as it was improperly docketed and does not meet the requirements under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his active-duty service and the condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of respiratory, liver, and cardiac conditions as secondary to a service-connected disability due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran was granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder in September 2018. The March 2019 rating decision assigned initial ratings of 40 percent for hepatitis C and 100 percent for the acquired psychiatric disorder, effective dates being August 7, 2012, and December 27, 2013 respectively. Attorney fees are granted based on past-due benefits from September 15, 2018 to March 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and ADHD. Service connection for diabetes, hepatitis C, and PTSD is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatica, and a psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service.