Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, liver cancer, portal vein thrombosis, and left total hip replacement due to procedural issues related to substitution as a claimant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Hepatitis C and lung cancer as they are not adequately addressed in the current evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, and to ascertain the severity of his service-connected lung cancer.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 9, 2010 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD/psychological disorder, along with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 9, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the condition did not originate during or as a result of military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and the examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hepatitis C residuals is denied because the Veteran did not meet the required medical nexus between his in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to support her claims of herbicide exposure or drug and alcohol abuse.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the case.

The Veteran's stage II-IV cirrhosis with hepatitis C is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, liver disease, gallbladder condition, and stomach disorder. The VA examinations conducted in August 2020 were not sufficient as they did not consider the Veteran’s reported in-service risk factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the initial decision, and it is unclear whether the Veteran currently has a hepatitis disorder or any related residuals. The claim must be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, right hip and knee conditions, and right ankle condition due to new evidence received since the last final rating decisions. The Veteran's service connection claims are reopened.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for hepatitis C service connection. Tinnitus was granted, but the hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected congenital apathic dysfunction, which is currently rated as noncompensable. The decision finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran’s symptoms most nearly approximated intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with fibrosis of the liver and COPD and asthma, to include as secondary to hepatitis C due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current hepatitis C is believed to be related to his pre-service drug use and post-service incarceration.

The Veteran's liver disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with cirrhosis, is not considered to be related to his service at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, hepatitis C, and headaches due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as he did not serve during a period of war.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to initial, increased, and TDIU ratings for Hepatitis C due to the Veteran's timely opt-in into the Appeals Modernization Act review system.

The Board denied compensation benefits for hepatitis C due to a blood transfusion at a VA medical facility in 1979 or 1980, finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on part of VA physicians.