Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder (in sustained remission), and cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. An effective date of October 3, 2013 has been established for his 50% rating for tension headaches. The application to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic alcoholism is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of hepatitis B due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that it existed prior to military service, or an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shin splints has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or treatment for the condition.,Barrett's esophagus and hepatitis C are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing potential exposure at Camp LeJeune.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also remanded with regard to the Veteran's stressor allegations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the R-1 or R-2 level is remanded due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records. The AOJ should also issue an SOC regarding the L-level SMC claim based on loss of use of the left and right feet.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion considering repetitive lifting.,The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide adequate rationale regarding air gun inoculation.,The kidney disability claim is remanded as there was no discussion of unprotected sexual encounters or air gun inoculation, and diabetes mellitus type II is noted but denied in a previous decision.,The right hip disability claim is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's contention that his right hip condition is related to his service-connected right knee disability.,The effective date earlier than June 29, 2010 for the right knee disability is remanded due to lack of range of motion testing in the May 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective September 29, 2003.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities throughout the entire appeal period.,The issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status has been remanded.

Service connection for headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.,The claims for cholecystectomy residuals and a colon disorder other than IBS are denied as there is no evidence of any such condition during the period of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, loss of balance, chest numbness, right and left upper extremity disability, sleep apnea, COPD, sinusitis, ventral hernia, and a higher rating for the chest surgical scar.

The Board has remanded for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding liver conditions other than liver cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and his in-service exposure. The VA must provide a new clarifying VA medical opinion addressing all evidence of record, including the Veteran’s contentions.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issues of esophageal varices, liver disease, hepatic cirrhosis, ascites, portal vein thrombosis, and portal vein hypertension as secondary to service-connected splenectomy. The rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease status post left transverse process fracture is also being remanded.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not due to a service-connected disability and that medications taken for his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his liver disease.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is granted service connection. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, portal hypertension, splenomegaly and a gallbladder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor due to a lack of new and relevant evidence in his February 2019 supplemental claim.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions or any other potential causes. The appellant must provide additional information about medical records related to her claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining her private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his military service.