The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is etiologically related to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including cirrhosis of the liver and bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is etiologically related to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran was also unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- cirrhosis of the liver
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20067081
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that it was due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection and a higher rating for tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 100 percent for lung cancer but granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, effective December 7, 2022.
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