Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board denied readjudication of the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor because VA did not receive new and relevant evidence after the initial AMA rating decision in December 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's Hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis C and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. Diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, while cirrhosis of the liver is linked to the Veteran's now-service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has partially vacated the decision regarding reopening service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to new evidence. The claim is now reopened, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA opinion on whether Agent Orange exposure or PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or hepatitis C and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and loss of eyesight, to include as secondary to hepatitis C due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of specific risk factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of whether a substantive appeal was timely filed in response to a May 2014 Statement of the Case due to the lack of timely filing within the required 60-day period.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The lower back disability and liver disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depression was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.,The Veteran served on active duty from March 1977 to March 1981. His service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the current VA medical opinion is insufficient and remanded for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, specifically as a hospital corpsman. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative spondylosis and right and left knee patellar-femoral degenerative changes, cause severe impairment such that he is unable to ambulate without an assistive device such as a wheelchair. The Board finds eligibility for specially adapted housing due to loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis B, finding that her service-connected condition has been non-symptomatic throughout the appeal period and does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected Hepatitis C and whether liver cirrhosis is related to it.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, status-post liver transplant from 100 percent to 30 percent effective September 1, 2014, was improper. The decision is pending as a result of outstanding VA treatment records needing to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the Veteran's cirrhosis, hepatitis C, and hepatocellular carcinoma were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection is also granted for hepatitis C and liver disability, respiratory disability (including sleep apnea), diabetes mellitus, pancreas disability, heart disability, and gastrointestinal disability. However, further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The case is being remanded due to the Court's decision that the Board erred by relying on a VA expert’s opinion. The Veteran submitted new medical records and statements, so an updated VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.