Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) during the appeal period. The Board found that the Veteran was gainfully employed throughout the appeal period and did not have sufficient evidence to grant TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary due to the timeliness of a VA Form 9 submitted in May 2018. The other issues on appeal are inextricably intertwined with this determination and will be remanded for further consideration.

The Board has dismissed the claims for entitlement to service connection for a substance abuse disorder and Hepatitis C. The previously denied claim for schizophrenia was reopened, but the issue of service connection remains remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, including due to Agent Orange exposure, was denied. The appeal also addressed the initial disability rating for residuals of broken left pinky finger and the effective date for this grant.,Service connection for hepatitis could not be established as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or symptoms related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, skin disease, dental disability, hepatitis B, left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, microscopic hematuria, GERD, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for Hepatitis C and Skin Cancer are remanded due to outstanding STRs and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, liver disability, and heart disability. The claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and outstanding military personnel records. The claims will be reconsidered, and a VA examination will be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as the right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current headache disability and his active service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding hepatitis B and tendonitis of the elbow.,Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran has resolved hepatitis B or if he still has an active case of hepatitis B.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C and seizure disorder claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C has rendered him unemployable since January 5, 2010. The Board granted an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) with this effective date.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected multiple traumas to left hand, fingers, and tendons. His PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's condition of surgical repairs and joint fusions of multiple traumas to the left hand, fingers, and tendons does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently non-symptomatic and not causing any incapacitating episodes. As such, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7354.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C and liver cancer secondary to Hepatitis C.,Service connection was not granted as there is no direct evidence of Hepatitis C in service, and the Veteran's liver cancer is likely related to his pre-existing Hepatitis C.

The rating reductions for diabetic polyneuropathy were restored, and the Veteran's service connection claims for other conditions remain pending.,A remand was ordered to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and higher initial evaluation for service-connected liver cancer residuals have been dismissed as the issues were previously adjudicated by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and evaluations due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the severity of his cirrhosis of the liver and status post cholecystectomy throughout the appeal period. The issues include an increased rating for these conditions as well as a compensable evaluation for associated surgical scars.

The Board has vacated its July 2023 decision denying a higher initial rating for hepatitis C and remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran was entitled to TDIU from July 9, 2012. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability, standing alone, prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of October 11, 2017.