Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board granted the appeal and restored service connection for GERD with cirrhosis of the liver, cholelithiasis with chronic cholecystitis, and surgical and painful right subcostal scars, s/p cholecystectomy. The claim for readjudication of PTSD was also granted, while other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for autoimmune hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, both found to be related to the Veteran's in-service toxic exposures at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and hepatitis C as there was no evidence of functional impairment sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of hepatitis C and conditions secondary to it, including bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding ulcers, acute colitis, diverticulitis, inflamed rectal tissue, IBS, skin condition, tracheal burning with constant acid buildup, and urinary incontinence.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis and diabetic nephropathy as the evidence did not show a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death, as there is no substituted appellant for this appeal.

The Board granted an effective date of March 8, 2024 for the grant of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus but denied earlier effective dates for atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. The other claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis B, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hepatitis C as the evidence did not support intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia or incapacitating episodes during the past 12-month period.

The appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed as it is subsumed by the already service-connected PTSD. A 50 percent rating for cluster headaches was granted, and a higher rating for autoimmune hepatitis was denied.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

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.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and hepatitis C to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a liver transplant with shunt implant, stroke, and seizures as the medical evidence did not support a current disability during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbosacral musculoligamentous strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, right ankle sprain, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was granted for eczema (claimed as dermatitis) but denied for sinusitis, cirrhosis of the liver, cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and left ankle strain.

The Veteran was granted increased ratings of 60 percent for Hepatitis C prior to September 8, 2016, and 100 percent for anxiety and depression for the entire period on review.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, for purposes of entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), as further development is necessary.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for cervical strain with myositis effective July 14, 2016. The claims for increased ratings for unspecified anxiety disorder and hepatitis C were remanded.