Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for autoimmune and cardiovascular disabilities were denied. The claims for lumbar spine, radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities were remanded.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 17, 1978 for a 60 percent rating for service-connected hepatitis C has been granted.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, hepatitis C, and seizure disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C and a liver condition, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, concluding that the evidence does not show the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and PTSD were denied earlier effective dates prior to August 26, 2016. The Board found that the relevant STRs received after the initial denial did not provide new evidence material enough to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and evaluation of major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features is denied.,Service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is denied as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking current condition to service.,Service connection for right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking current condition to service.

The Board has denied service connection for gallbladder disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, and kidney disease as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and kidney stones are granted as service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been reopened and the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether these conditions are related to contaminated water exposure.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver has not resulted in generalized weakness, substantial weight loss, and persistent jaundice; or hepatic encephalopathy, hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy that were refractory to treatment. Therefore, his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis of the liver and acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to service-connected PTSD. The VA will obtain new opinions regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol abuse is secondary to his PTSD and if so, whether it caused his cirrhosis of the liver and/or aggravated his neuropathy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in not considering his assertion of exposure through air gun inoculations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of liver disease, which was granted on June 10, 2009, is denied. The effective date for service connection for liver disease remains at June 10, 2009, and the award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance (A&A) also remains at June 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for hepatitis B and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because service connection for hepatitis B was granted in a previous decision, and the issue is moot.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus secondary to hepatitis C. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, and tinnitus. The VA must provide a supplemental opinion on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder substantially contributing to his death. The Veteran died from an accidental drug overdose, with a combined disability rating of 60 percent at the time of his death.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 1, 1974 for the grant of service connection for cause of death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for axonal polyneuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as bilateral hand arthritis. Service connection was denied for basal cell carcinoma and hepatitis C.