Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's hepatitis B was not caused by VA treatment, and the Board found no fault on the part of VA. Therefore, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and insomnia), a heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease), type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hemorrhoids have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for hepatitis C and the other conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for hepatitis C and granted it, finding that the Veteran's chronic viral hepatitis B and C is more likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's military service and his condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's in-service IV drug use constitutes willful misconduct.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted for the period since April 12, 2021. Prior to this date, his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to internal inconsistencies and insufficient opinions in previous examinations. The claims include respiratory disorders, diabetes mellitus type II, and a liver disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as there is no evidence that the condition manifested during or was caused by military service.

The Board restored a 30 percent rating for cirrhosis of the liver effective March 30, 2017 after finding that the reduction was not properly applied. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected cirrhosis of the liver is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, GERD, diabetes mellitus II, gastrointestinal disorder, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and esophageal varices.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma due to chronic hepatitis C infection, is service-connected. The appeal for accrued benefits was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis of the liver and hiatal hernia repair with residual ventral hernia, as well as his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence or examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cirrhosis of the liver secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and an increased rating for his hiatal hernia repair with residual ventral hernia. His TDIU claim has also been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The hepatitis C and hypertension claims are remanded due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests.

The Veteran's hepatitis C symptoms were manifested by daily fatigue and malaise, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 20 percent rating was granted from July 28, 2010 to September 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease secondary to now service-connected hepatitis C.,Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, liver disability (claimed as hepatitis C), AAA, and impaired glucose tolerance due to in-service tattoo exposure and VA treatment records from prior to the mid-1990s.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C, hypertension, and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records that have not been considered yet.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's obesity, which may have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, contributed to his cause of death (cirrhosis).

The Board has remanded the cases of sarcoidosis and infectious hepatitis for further examination and opinion to address service connection claims.