Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the October 2021 rating decision and the need for updated court findings. The Veteran's disability claims are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C and PTSD with alcohol abuse, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 3, 2017 are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at a 50% for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver with hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension and esophageal varices is remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to the issuance of the rating decision.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease, to include infectious hepatitis is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to inextricably intertwined with his rating decision on service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right elbow disability, skin disorder, diabetes, hepatitis C, and cholecystectomy residuals due to additional development of records and obtaining addendum opinions from different examiners.

The Board denied entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran required regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's primary biliary cirrhosis is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 6, 2001 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for Hepatitis C. The decision is based on resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and cause of death due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion. The case is sent back for further evaluation by a qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's digestive disorders, as well as whether his hypertension, hepatitis C, allergic rhinitis, and colon polyps are related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His left knee, right knee, and neck disorders are not found to be related to service or any other basis for service connection. Infectious hepatitis in-service is denied due to resolution of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's use of heroin for foot pain is consistent with his service-connected conditions. The examiner must provide a clear opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence obtained and the need for additional treatment records. The Veteran's death was caused by upper gastrointestinal bleed, acute heart failure, hepatitis, and renal failure. The Board will determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a bilateral lower extremity disability as secondary to hepatitis C due to conflicting evidence regarding in-service risk factors and post-service diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, and a liver condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service personnel and treatment records from his Reserve and National Guard service. The AOJ is required to contact these units for missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis and infectious hepatitis due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding VA examinations. The Veteran is advised to appear for any scheduled VA examinations.