Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polysubstance abuse, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD, has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as there is no longer a controversy.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was rated at 10 percent from November 3, 2003 through June 30, 2009 and granted a 100 percent rating from July 1, 2010 to June 13, 2012. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating since June 14, 2012 is denied.,The Board also found that the Veteran was not entitled to TDIU prior to March 1, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to hepatitis C was initially rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate a higher rating. The evidence showed significant improvement over time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the temporary total evaluation following a liver transplant are both remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for service-connected Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition is asymptomatic and not productive of intermittent or daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication, or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's 100% rating for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, status post liver transplant, is restored as it was not shown that his ability to function under ordinary conditions had improved at the time of the reduction.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to active service.

The Veteran's tuberculosis and Hepatitis C claims are denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim. The left knee and back disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates related to various conditions, including a back scar, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of the lumbar spine disability is granted with a 20% rating from January 7, 2010.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with polysubstance abuse (including alcohol) caused or aggravated his liver disease, which contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the current diagnosis is related to in-service risk factors and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's liver condition, which includes hepatitis-B, hepatitis-C, and cirrhosis. The Board found that there is a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to service exposure. The examiner must consider the Veteran's credible statements of in-service blood exposure, his history of intravenous drug use, and CDC information on hepatitis C duration.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his service, specifically his exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's claim is reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has granted service connection for hepatitis C due to IV drug use associated with a service-connected PTSD and major depression.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability and radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding his psychiatric disorder claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2003. The claim for a higher rating is denied.