The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to insufficient evidence, but failed to consider an autopsy report and additional VA records. The motion argues that these missing records could have changed the outcome.
The deciding factor: The error in not considering the missing records did not manifestly change the outcome as there was no clear indication that service connection would have been granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Meningitis, Viral Encephalitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0606041
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 244 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0606041.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for meningitis. The appeals for increased ratings for left ankle, right ankle, and left shoulder disabilities are REMANDED.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for meningitis secondary to surgery left craniotomy has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for meningitis as the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or inadequate etiology opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including meningitis and back disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.