Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and clarification of her military history, including potential risk factors for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's current pseudofolliculitis barbae had its onset in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The bilateral ankle conditions and hepatitis B claims are remanded due to lack of VA treatment records and need for a PACT Act compliant medical opinion.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from December 29, 2011, to May 14, 2013, and may be eligible for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The claims for service connection for hepatitis C and left shoulder arthritis are remanded due to inadequate examination reports, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD and for cirrhosis as secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder.

The Board has decided that the cause of death is remanded due to new evidence from the PACT Act, and a VA examination is needed to determine if in-service exposure to toxic substances caused the Veteran's death from cirrhosis.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and hepatitis A, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service.,There is no current diagnosis of hepatitis A in the record. The Veteran was diagnosed with hepatitis A while in service but it resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning November 16, 2013. A TDIU on extraschedular basis was granted for the period from November 16, 2013, to March 4, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for hepatitis A, stomach ulcer associated with hepatitis A, pancreatitis associated with hepatitis A, and gastritis associated with hepatitis A are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, including as secondary to his service-connected foot conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran used heroin in service due to foot pain.

The Board dismissed the claim for hepatitis C due to withdrawal by the appellant. The cirrhosis of the liver issue is remanded and will require a VA examination considering potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right-hand disability, hepatitis C, respiratory condition (COPD and emphysema), and heart condition (CAD) have all been denied as there is no probative medical evidence to support the assertions that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis, which is service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death but rather contributed to it.

The appeal is remanded for further action on the claims of service connection for hepatitis B with status post liver transplant, tender scar of the medial lower left arm, and left ulnar nerve injury with surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to service, as well as whether it contributed to his death from liver cancer.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied prior to January 25, 2012 due to the lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations, and a new opportunity is provided for the Veteran to report for these exams.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and that additional development is necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and chronic liver disease with kidney failure due to inadequate opinions from the December 2022 VA examiner. The AOJ is instructed to clarify what the Veteran is currently service connected for, and obtain an updated opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and service.