Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board denied all claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred in or related to active service.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and denied it for ischemic heart disease. Several other claims were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for depression was granted. Other claims related to various conditions were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, right foot disability (metatarsalgia), and left knee disability. The evidence did not show these conditions are related to active service.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hepatitis C as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD associated drug use.

The veteran is granted an effective date of November 1, 2008 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for an additional liver disability and a disability resulting from the misdiagnosis or treatment of a pilonidal cyst due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for cellulitis and remanded claims for a psychiatric disability, hepatitis C (secondary to a psychiatric disability), thyroid disability, and colon polyps due to the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were dismissed or denied. The veteran failed to appear for scheduled examinations, which led to the denial of increased ratings for lumbar strain and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was granted, effective December 31, 2016.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for hepatitis C, special monthly compensation (SMC), and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with cancer due to autoimmune hepatitis/NASH and cirrhosis of the liver, status post liver transplant, and blood cell disorder. The claim for osteoporosis was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and related liver conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, have been granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C were granted.

The appeal for allergic rhinitis was dismissed. Service connection for hepatitis C, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea was denied. The rating reduction for basal cell carcinoma was upheld. The issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim for neuro-behavioral effects due to procedural defects. All other issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions were remanded for further adjudication.

The appeal for service connection of NASH is remanded. The VA needs to conduct a new examination considering all toxic exposures, including Camp Lejeune and herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a rating higher than 30% for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. The decision was based on the lack of symptoms such as minor weight loss, hepatomegaly, or incapacitating episodes.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because the VA Form 10182 was not filed on time and good cause for an extension was not shown.