Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder as a result of VA treatment, a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and a low back disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), with alcohol and drug abuse disorder.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent disability rating for his left foot condition, which equates to a severe foot injury with pain and limited range of motion, is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the evidence does not show it was present during active duty or related to service. The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and back conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of a VA examiner who provided an opinion on hepatitis C and cirrhosis. The Veteran requested information regarding this examiner's qualifications, which needs to be obtained.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including new examinations to assess the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities. The appeals of the ratings assigned for these conditions are also being remanded due to inconsistencies in previous examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertensive heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic hemangiopericytoma, with hepatitis B as a significant contributing factor. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and an addendum opinion on the etiology of hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was related to an in-service viral infection and whether his alcohol abuse was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied a restoration of a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C and an increased rating, finding that the Veteran no longer had serologic evidence of hepatitis C infection.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 29, 2007, due to combined service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on the statutory housebound rate from December 30, 2008.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be asymptomatic and not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for headaches, back condition, prostate condition, bladder condition, kidney condition, hepatitis, and nicotine dependence are dismissed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.,The Veteran's claim for a back condition has been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, specifically in-service immunizations via air gun injectors. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic liver disease and dyslipidemia as secondary to obesity caused by in-service chemical exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B. The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, concluding there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.,Veteran had hepatitis C diagnosed in 2001 and his VA examiner concluded it was not related to his service-connected hepatitis B. However, he did find that the Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his hepatitis B.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to a lack of adequate consideration of the Veteran's contention that he was exposed to hepatitis C through air gun inoculations during service. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is granted. The ratings for his knee and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted, with some periods of time having temporary increased ratings.

The appeal for hepatitis C (claimed as a liver condition) is dismissed. The case is remanded for an evaluation of tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for psoriasis. The lung disability and hepatitis B residuals issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.