Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not attributable to his military service and more likely due to drug use in service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is rated at 40 percent, and his left foot disability is granted service connection. The head injury residuals are denied, as well as the low back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sarcoidosis is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion clarifying the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous court directives regarding obtaining a medical nexus opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bone spurs of both feet due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The right foot, RUEPN, LUEPN, RLEPN, LLEPN, left hip, right hip, right CTS, left CTS, right hip scar, lumbar spine, CAD, left knee, right knee, hypertension, and ED conditions are not found to be related to his active duty service. The Veteran's Hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or residuals associated with the condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, headache disorder, Hepatitis C, and seizure disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis B has been manifested by intermittent vomiting and nausea, but not daily episodes. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has found that the VA examinations provided in the March 2021 rating decision were inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran currently has hepatitis C or any residuals thereof, as well as whether he has a liver disability. The new examinations must address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's liver disability and its relationship to service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his service-connected bilateral navicular tuberosities. The VA will obtain addendum opinions as requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and hepatitis C due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hepatitis C render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 21, 2010, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have an additional disability of gastrointestinal ailments, including hepatitis C, as a result of VA treatment from 1972 to 1975. The Board finds that the evidence persuasively weighs against granting the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations and finds it highly likely he did not receive them. The claims are being remanded to attempt to obtain updated contact information for the Veteran so he can be notified of these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma (claimed as liver cancer), finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for hypokalemia, hepatitis B, and hyperaldosteronism as they are neither diseases nor disabilities as contemplated by VA. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam is presumed.