Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) — all decisions

The Board granted service connection for liver cancer, diabetes mellitus, esophageal varices, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The appeal for cirrhosis of the liver was dismissed due to a full and complete grant of benefits. Service connection for GERD and a gastrointestinal disorder was denied.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for hypothyroidism, malignant neoplasm of the thyroid and awarded SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to ensure proper development and consideration of evidence related to the Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to hepatic cirrhosis that was found to be proximately due to or a result of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, considering potential in-service toxic exposure.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death to ensure all reasonably raised theories of entitlement are developed, specifically regarding the relationship between Hepatitis C and in-service complaints.

The Board granted service connection for steatohepatitis and gastrointestinal impairment, to include chronic diarrhea and GERD. The claims for a chronic cough, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, facial scar, back disability, left hip disability, bilateral hand osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension were denied.

Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, due to cirrhosis of the liver, is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for extensions of time to file appeals regarding rating decisions that denied service connection for hepatitis B and tinnitus, finding no good cause for late filings.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, to include liver cancer as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and other than cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for 20 conditions including depression, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury, finding insufficient evidence of in-service incurrence or nexus. The Board remanded three conditions (back condition, left lower extremity neuropathy, and left leg condition) for further adjudication.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension, Wilson's disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and pancreatitis based on a history of one episode of hemorrhage from portal gastropathy.

The Board granted service connection for autoimmune hepatitis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The appeal regarding an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver/ruptured liver, normocytic anemia, malignant neoplasm of the thyroid, and chronic kidney disease stage II based on a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service exposure or other in-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected hepatitis C alone, as it was determined that his psychological symptoms and non-service-connected stroke were more significant factors in preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal of the December 2021 rating decision that denied an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C was dismissed as procedurally defective.

The Board denied service connection for pulmonary emphysema, gastroparesis, and granulomatous hepatitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or toxic exposure. The claim for left ventricular systolic dysfunction was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and opinions addressing service connection theories.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a VA colonoscopy, but granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a disorder of the epididymis.

The Board remands the claim for additional development, including generating a TERA memorandum and obtaining an advisory medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.