Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

An effective date of July 9, 2018 is granted for a 30 percent rating for hepatitis E with cirrhosis, portal hypertension and splenomegaly. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis B, acne, and HIV due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, liver cirrhosis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and diabetes mellitus for service connection as well as the substitution claim due to incomplete notification.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C as the Veteran is asymptomatic and there are no signs or symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims for a liver condition to determine if there is evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis, Bell's palsy, psoriasis, eczema, TMJ dysfunction, and anxiety have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy (claimed as enlarged prostate) was also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.,The Veteran's esophageal reflux was not linked to his service, and thus denial of this claim.,For cervical spine condition and lumbar area pain, the Board found insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims were therefore denied.,There is no indication that the low back disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was incurred in or related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that the risk factors for hepatitis C, such as intravenous drug use and unprotected sex, are more likely causes of the condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuous presence since active duty.,Service connection for chloracne and renal dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that age is more likely contributing factor.,Service connection for hepatitis C (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that it is not a presumed condition of exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hepatitis. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed concurrently.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and sarcoidosis. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran had a current disability of hepatitis B or residuals thereof during his military service, and also address the reduction in his disability rating for sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. G.P.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim was reopened and granted service connection. The gastrointestinal disability (diverticulosis) claim was denied, while the right shoulder disability claim was also denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is established, but claims for gastrointestinal disability and right shoulder disability were not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's liver disorders, including his contention of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hepatitis, atrophy arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, lumbar spine disability (arthritis), and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected.,There is no current evidence of hepatitis. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of atrophy arthritis of the upper or lower extremities. Hypertension was not present within one year after separation from service. There is no evidence that the lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, or any other conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for hepatitis C and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hepatitis. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient follow-up. The Veteran's inpatient treatment at Bamberg Army Hospital in 1976 needs to be obtained, as well as VA treatment records from Dallas VAMC.

The Veteran's chronic urticaria and hepatitis C residuals are currently rated at 10% each. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition, with the exception of the hepatitis C residuals which need further evaluation due to lack of objective evidence of worsening.