Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not related to his military service due to IV drug use and lack of a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted an initial 100 percent evaluation for the service-connected hepatitis C based on ascites and hepatic encephalopathy refractory to treatment.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding it related to the Veteran's service. The other claims for service connection were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a liver disability, residuals of hepatitis C, based on the Veteran's high-risk sexual activity during service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection due to procedural defects in their claims.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cirrhosis of the liver and status post cholecystectomy, a compensable disability evaluation for surgical scars associated with cirrhosis of the liver and status post cholecystectomy, and a compensable disability evaluation, including whether the reduction from 10 percent to 0 percent effective March 1, 2015, was proper, for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, chronic hepatic cirrhosis, due to toxic exposures during active service.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis B, a liver condition (hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis) secondary to service-connected hepatitis B, hypertension, prostate cancer, voiding dysfunction as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer. The claim for anemia was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection for auto-immune hepatitis as untimely filed.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that chronic hepatitis C was incurred in service and contributed to his death.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for hepatitis C to obtain a more adequate medical opinion.

The appeal for service connection for scoliosis of the spine was dismissed, and claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD, other than persistent depressive disorder) and Type II diabetes mellitus were denied. Other claims were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's in-service hepatitis, if specifically hepatitis C as claimed by the Appellant, contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, liver cirrhosis, interstitial cystitis, liver cancer, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer prior to January 2, 2025, and higher than 40 percent thereafter. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 13, 2012, and the ratings for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were denied or modified.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hepatitis C, as there was no evidence of current symptoms or functional impact.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and entitlement to TDIU, finding no evidence supporting a link between the Veteran's military service or any claimed exposures and his liver condition.