Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for liver disease, diagnosed as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis liver disease (MASLD), and cirrhosis of the liver, based on a nexus to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for rectal cancer, autoimmune hepatitis with liver cirrhosis, and emphysema as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted an effective date of March 8, 2023 for the award of service connection for plantar fasciitis. The claims for angina pectoris, kidney disability, liver disability, and skin cancer were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as it was not shown to be related to the Veteran's active service or a service-connected disability, including due to alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, a gastrointestinal disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an internal bleeding disorder as there was no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairments related to these conditions.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral posterior chamber intraocular lenses, status post cataract surgery and denied an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome. The claim for service connection for a liver disorder was also denied.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cirrhosis due to a need for further development and an opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's liver cirrhosis from February 2002 to June 2020.

The Board denied a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and remanded issues related to TBI and cirrhosis of the liver with hepatitis C.

The Board grants service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's high-risk sexual activity in service likely resulted in his development of the condition.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cause of death, specifically regarding its relation to presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Board granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, which is related to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C to obtain additional evidence, including a VA examination.

The Board granted eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a November 2023 rating decision granting higher ratings for Hepatitis B residuals as well as gout symptomatology of the left and right great toes, but denied such eligibility for service connection of allergic rhinitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, to include as secondary to hepatitis C, due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a VA liver examination to determine the relationship between the diagnosed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and active service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis was improperly docketed and dismissed.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C from September 24, 2018, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for hepatitis C and infection of the skin due to untimely filing of a Notice of Disagreement.