Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and PTSD were denied earlier effective dates prior to August 26, 2016. The Board found that the relevant STRs received after the initial denial did not provide new evidence material enough to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and evaluation of major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features is denied.,Service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is denied as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking current condition to service.,Service connection for right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking current condition to service.

The Board has denied service connection for gallbladder disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, and kidney disease as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and kidney stones are granted as service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been reopened and the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether these conditions are related to contaminated water exposure.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver has not resulted in generalized weakness, substantial weight loss, and persistent jaundice; or hepatic encephalopathy, hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy that were refractory to treatment. Therefore, his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis of the liver and acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to service-connected PTSD. The VA will obtain new opinions regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol abuse is secondary to his PTSD and if so, whether it caused his cirrhosis of the liver and/or aggravated his neuropathy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in not considering his assertion of exposure through air gun inoculations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of liver disease, which was granted on June 10, 2009, is denied. The effective date for service connection for liver disease remains at June 10, 2009, and the award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance (A&A) also remains at June 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for hepatitis B and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because service connection for hepatitis B was granted in a previous decision, and the issue is moot.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus secondary to hepatitis C. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, and tinnitus. The VA must provide a supplemental opinion on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder substantially contributing to his death. The Veteran died from an accidental drug overdose, with a combined disability rating of 60 percent at the time of his death.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 1, 1974 for the grant of service connection for cause of death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for axonal polyneuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as bilateral hand arthritis. Service connection was denied for basal cell carcinoma and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia, BPH, bronchitis, chronic bone disease, and liver diseases (cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C) due to exposure at Camp Lejeune is denied as no new relevant evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPH due to exposure at Camp Lejeune has been readjudicated as new relevant evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's diabetes and liver cirrhosis are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated compensably due to blood pressure readings consistently below the threshold for a higher rating.,The Veteran's cirrhosis of liver from non-alcoholic liver disease does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on symptoms and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score.,The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is rated as noncompensably disabling due to visual acuity that is 20/40 in one eye without other significant impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 30, 2020. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for shoulder and hip arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence aggravated his hepatitis C.