Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of tonsillitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for infectious hepatitis (to include hepatitis C), stomach disability, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) / intestinal condition, chronic otitis, and skin condition were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,The Board found that the medical records did not support a higher rating for tonsillitis and that there was no indication of any other conditions warranting a different evaluation.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C is related to the Veteran's active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bladder disorder is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for hepatitis C was granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and denied it. The PTSD issue is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's Hepatitis C and lung disorder are not related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service connected and his herpes infection of the mouth and lips with erythema multiform does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran was granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major depressive disorder with polysubstance dependence and substance induced mood disorder), but denied service connection for a throat disability and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, hepatitis, and lymphedema are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, including any potential herbicide exposure. The VA clinician provided an opinion concluding it less likely than not that the Veteran's hepatitis C began in or was otherwise the result of military exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C (HCV) is denied. The decision is based on the lack of clear and unmistakable evidence showing that HCV existed prior to service, and also due to insufficient medical findings and opinions regarding the risk factors for contracting HCV.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cirrhosis and hepatitis C, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, including chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease and/or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of viral hepatitis or other active liver condition related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a liver disorder, previously claimed as due to his service-connected anxiety disorder, is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduled hearing at VA's Central Office in Washington, DC. The Veteran requested a videoconference hearing instead.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no credible evidence of a link between his in-service exposure and the current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, rash on penis (claimed as genital herpes), circumcision of phimosis due to venereal warts, penis, osteophytes in the lumbar spine, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was evaluated as 20 percent disabling from March 29, 2006 through January 21, 2015. The symptoms included daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia without weight loss or hepatomegaly, but with incapacitating episodes lasting less than two weeks.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since November 2006. Effective August 2015, the rating is increased to 40 percent.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as not due to herbicide exposure or being secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection for hepatitis A has been denied.,Service connection for a skin disorder has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and trypanophobia) has been denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD, but the Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to PTSD remains pending.,Service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD has not been established.,TDIU was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis and cirrhosis, finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.