Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, OSA, and back conditions, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum to address the Veteran's hepatitis C claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis B and duodenal ulcer, as well as service connection for hepatitis C due to insufficient development.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the condition did not manifest during service and is etiologically unrelated to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions provided by a general practice Nurse Practitioner.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture to midshaft right metacarpal. The remaining issues, including hepatitis B, chronic digestive disability, IBS, and polyp removal, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for his bilateral degenerative joint disease of the feet and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and depression have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy has been granted.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2006 to November 26, 2007. The criteria for TDIU were met as the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service and/or caused or aggravated by his service-connected liver cancer, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in service.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding autoimmune cirrhosis and new malignant growths due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of liver transplant is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and cirrhosis of the liver (claimed as secondary to hepatitis C) are granted. The claims for service connection of tinnitus and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hepatitis C as there is evidence of a currently diagnosed condition and possible in-service exposure, but no VA examination was conducted. The case will be returned to the AOJ with instructions to obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining service department records regarding the Veteran's time in the Army Reserves and for a medical opinion on the cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was caused by hepatitis E.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for chronic liver disease and chronic fatigue syndrome due to incomplete development and lack of a reasoned medical explanation regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to February 20, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter (including hepatocellular disease effective April 21, 2021) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the July 2012 rating decision. The Veteran was also granted TDIU on an accrued basis due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's hepatitis C, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7354.