Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it related to his active duty service and aggravated by his service-connected tibia fractures. The claim for hepatitis C is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for depressive disorder is established based on direct evidence of a current disability (depressive disorder) that was incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C, lumbar DDD with strain, osteomyelitis, and loss of use of right foot disability rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective October 28, 2008, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC under various provisions.

The appeal is granted as the earlier effective dates for increased ratings of CAD and hearing loss, an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for PTSD, and an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits are granted. The appeal for SMC at the housebound rate is also granted with an effective date of January 30, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, stomach infection and ulcers as secondary to hepatitis C, and service connection for feet disabilities are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's cause of death, liver cancer, is being remanded due to a pending service connection claim for hepatitis C. The Board finds the cause of death appeal is intertwined with resolution of the pending service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claim for a higher initial rating for hepatitis B remains denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be proximately caused by the May 2004 colonoscopy at the Dallas VA Medical Center, resulting in additional disability. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate to adjudicate the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis C, as they did not consider all reasonably raised theories of entitlement. The case is being remanded to obtain addendum VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that none of the conditions listed on his death certificate were related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for leukemia, thrombocytopenia, and bone marrow transplant with acquired agranulocytosis. The Veteran's Fanconi anemia is not considered a service-connected condition due to its congenital nature. Service connection was also denied for hepatocarcinoma and cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction in disability rating for hepatitis B with cirrhosis from 40 percent to 10 percent effective July 11, 2022.

The Veteran's asthma and hepatitis B claims are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, both determined to be related to in-service hepatitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C was denied because the Veteran did not have a current disability during the appeal period. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to potential exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C due to the lack of a current disability. The remaining claims are remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that could affect their outcome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and left hip pain, prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU effective December 29, 2023.

The Veteran's cause of death was respiratory failure caused by hepatic failure, hepatocellular cancer, and chronic hepatitis C infection.,Service connection for the cause of death is granted as his alcohol and substance abuse were secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis/scarring of liver is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that she had such a condition during her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis B from January 4, 1977, to June 18, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective addendum opinion.