Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues, including the right knee disability and Hepatitis C claims. The hemorrhoids claim is granted with a 10 percent rating from November 2, 2005 and a 20 percent rating from November 9, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 11, 2017 for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R-2 rate due to insufficient evidence showing a need for higher level care on a daily basis.

The Veteran's death was attributed to his liver cancer, which is linked to Hepatitis C. The Board is remanded to determine if the Veteran’s PTSD may have contributed to or exacerbated his heroin use, leading to his Hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to hepatitis C during service. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and seek a medical opinion on the etiology of her hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 40 percent since March 28, 2012.,The Veteran's GERD claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, liver cirrhosis, and Parkinson’s disease due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances in service. The case is sent back for further investigation and a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if hepatitis C and PTSD are related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, and has remanded for further examination regarding his GERD/IBS issues.

The Veteran's service-connected HIV is found to be the proximate cause of his current anxiety disorder. The claims for hepatitis B and acne are granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and authorize VA to obtain them, or seek authorization from SSA for any relevant information.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, as it is related to his in-service motorcycle accident and subsequent treatment.,His liver transplant residuals are also service-connected, as they are secondary to his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, and Alzheimer's dementia. The issue of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 USC 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and headaches, but denied service connection for arthritis, gout of the bilateral feet, Hepatitis C, and Hyperlipidemia. An effective date prior to September 10, 2013, is denied for DMII, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD due to the Veteran's failure to attend previously scheduled VA examinations. The case is being returned to obtain new examination results.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence, but remanded for further development and an opinion on the etiology of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C as new and material evidence was not received, despite previous denials.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition, including whether it was related to in-service air gun inoculations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has not been reopened as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has not been reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin rashes and skin tumors has not been reopened as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, varicose veins of the left leg, and liver disability. These matters are being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.