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.
The deciding factor: VA regulations require that examinations are conducted at least every five years for certain disabilities, including hepatitis. The last examination was in May 2001 and more than two years have passed since then.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2004
- Citation
- 0406806
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0406806.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hepatitis and diabetic nephropathy as the evidence did not show a current disability related to active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to hepatitis, finding no evidence that it was related to his military service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claim for service connection for a dental condition and remanded claims for service connection for hepatitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a left shoulder condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for hepatitis to ensure a VA examination and medical opinion are obtained, addressing potential pre-service exposure and in-service herbicide agent exposure.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.