Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition is more likely related to a blood transfusion in the 1970s than to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and for a bilateral lower extremity disability as secondary to Hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for hepatitis C was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring service connection for cirrhosis of the liver secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for depression and anxiety with anger issues, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are less likely related to his military service. Service connection for hepatitis B was also denied due to lack of a current medical diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for chronic liver disease and hepatitis C, but granted service connection for autoimmune hepatitis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a restoration of the 40 percent rating.,Ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have been granted at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the earliest communication from the Veteran that can be construed as a petition to reopen the previously denied claim was not received until March 27, 2009.

The Veteran's fibrocystic breast disease is granted a 10% rating, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's hepatitis B is denied an initial rating higher than 20%, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing October 2016 and October 2018 laboratory results from VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability is now pending again.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 19, 2013 for the award of service connection for liver transplant due to hepatitis C was dismissed because he died before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's NASH is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,A 40 percent rating for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted over the course of the appeal.,A 30 percent rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted over the course of the appeal.,A 40 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatica and a 40 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatica are granted over the course of the appeal.,Service connection for macular degeneration of the left eye, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is remanded.,TDIU is remanded.

The Board has identified several new documents in the Veteran's file and is remanding the case for readjudication, including consideration of these additional records. The claims will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding its severity prior to February 17, 2007. The SMC claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hepatitis C claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and related conditions are currently rated at 80 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including potential exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for autoimmune hepatitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his condition and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that VA's carelessness or negligence did not proximately cause his death.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and service connection for Hepatitis C are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board requests additional retrospective opinions from VA clinicians to address the Veteran's symptoms, range of motion, and etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his schizophrenia substantially contributed to his death caused by a life of illegal drug abuse and subsequent Hepatitis C. The issue of DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.