Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at a 60 percent rating as of March 4, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and between December 11, 2009 and March 4, 2017 was denied.

The Board is requesting an opinion from the Veterans Health Administration regarding service connection for a liver disorder. The claim will be remanded after receiving this information.

The Board has remanded two claims: one for service connection of hepatitis B and another for hepatic steatosis. The hepatitis B claim is due to a blood exposure incident during service, while the steatosis claim is related to Camp Lejeune exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis because there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of hepatitis C and hypertension for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered remand to consider whether he should receive a higher rating or separate ratings for his cirrhosis. The TDIU claim is also on hold until the hepatitis issue is resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of hepatitis C and granted it, as new evidence was submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying claim. However, the claim is denied because there is no credible evidence showing a link between the Veteran's in-service tattoo and his current diagnosis of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and an examination to assess current severity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C with chronic fatigue as secondary to his service-connected achalasia, post-operative. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his chronic obstructive lung disease and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of secondary service connection. The VA will schedule examinations and obtain additional medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for skin disability and acquired psychiatric disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, sleep apnea, and right eye vision loss due to in-service right zygoma fracture are remanded. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of hepatitis C which is the subject of an independent medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and increased disability ratings for benign cysts of the right ear lobe, left forearm, and right breast were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating on thoracic spine was granted.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of laceration of left calf. The reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent for recurrent cellulitis, left leg, was granted and the rating restored. Service connection for vasculitis, left lower extremity, and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis is found to have caused his death from systemic vasculitis, thus granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction (now claimed as gastrointestinal condition) is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if it is related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim of service connection for Hepatitis C is also remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 10 percent since April 18, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there were no daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has been reopened and is granted. The claims for Service Connection for Sleep Apnea, Liver Disability (other than Hepatitis C), Anxiety, PTSD, Dysthymic Disorder, and Depression are all remanded.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's liver condition and an updated Financial Status Report from the Veteran.