Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of hepatitis C. The Veteran was hospitalized for viral hepatitis in 1974, and there is evidence suggesting a possible onset during service.

The Veteran's brother, the Appellant, is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and liver cancer to receive accrued benefits necessary for reimbursement of expenses related to his last sickness and burial. The claims are currently remanded due to insufficient information regarding the total charges incurred and what amount if any was paid by the Appellant.,The Veteran's brother is also seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or at the housebound rate, which is also currently remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, neurobehavioral effects, and renal toxicity due to exposure at Camp Lejeune have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim due to an inaccurate statement of facts in a previous medical opinion. The Veteran claims he did not receive proper follow-up care for his hepatitis C, and the VA treatment is alleged to have caused additional disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to July 9, 2019 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence meeting the schedular criteria. The case has been referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no worse than Level II hearing acuity in both ears and speech recognition ability of 88 percent in the right ear and 84 percent in the left ear during the June 2019 audiological evaluation.,The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated as 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7354, with a separate 30 percent rating for postoperative residuals of hepatocellular liver carcinoma with liver transplant. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be evaluated separately or combined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, hip, and liver disorders, as well as hypertension, have been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic hepatitis is remanded due to the need for additional attempts to obtain her VA and private treatment records, as well as a current VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis B due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional private treatment records.,The Veteran's hyperaldosteronism and hypokalemia are being remanded as there were insufficient explanations in the previous VA examination regarding their onset, cause, or relation to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's hypokalemia is also being remanded due to inadequate explanations from the previous VA examiner about its relationship to hyperaldosteronism and herbicide exposure.,The Board has remanded the issue of hypertension as there was insufficient explanation in the previous VA examination regarding its relation to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic liver disease and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's hepatitis A is rated at a 40 percent rating prior to January 22, 2019 and denied for any higher ratings thereafter. The Veteran also has service-connected restless leg syndrome that is secondary to his radiculopathy.,Service connection for Meniere's disease and vertigo are both remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms in service and post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's PTSD to his drug use and subsequent hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hepatitis B, and a right foot neurological disorder have been denied. The case has been remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of any current right foot neurological disorder.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if his conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 remains denied as the Veteran was not rated 100% disabled at any point.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss, hepatitis, hearing loss, and tinnitus has been reopened. The Board finds that the case is REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for left foot sole scar prior to December 1, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye disability due to VA surgery in November 2009 is also denied. Other issues related to service connection and effective dates are remanded.

The Board denied reopening the claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, and bilateral hallux valgus due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's testimony regarding persistence of high blood pressure after service and prolonged standing in service did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases of hepatitis C and multiple joint pain for further development to address the Veteran's in-service complaints and risk factors.