Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran contracted hepatitis C during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol and hepatitis C was granted. The cases of digestive problems, stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver with weight loss (related to hepatitis C), heart disease, hypertension, fatigue, renal complications, and chronic depression are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hepatitis C. The Board granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for shortness of breath, PTSD, a low back disability, and hepatitis C are not supported by the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, infectious disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches as secondary to infectious disease or bipolar disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses will be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist, an infectious disease specialist, and a right shoulder examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis B or C, chronic liver disease without cirrhosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including evaluating whether service connection is warranted for cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, and mood disorder as residuals of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his substance abuse issues, leading to intravenous drug use and hepatitis C. Hepatitis C was a contributory cause of the Veteran’s death. DIC benefits are granted based on service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C have been reopened, and he is now entitled to these conditions. His PTSD remains at a 70% rating due to its severity, but TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is found to be related to in-service stressors.,There is no current diagnosis of vertigo, so the claim must be denied.,The right shoulder disability and hepatitis C are not service-connected due to lack of evidence indicating a connection to service.,Headaches are not service-connected as there is no indication that they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and hepatitis C have not rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment since August 10, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for Hepatitis C, which may have been incurred during an in-service hospitalization at Camp Lejeune, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a potential opinion on its etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis B and has denied service connection for this condition. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac dysrhythmia, was found to be related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection for the cause of death is granted. DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied as he did not meet the durational requirements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, to include residuals of hepatitis, is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Board finds that a nexus between the current condition and service is not shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VCAA notice and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) during military service.

The Board has decided to remand four service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and hepatitis C due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected cirrhosis of the liver materially contributed to his death from probable vascular dementia, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for a new VA examination.