The Veteran seeks service connection for HIV, which he claims was contracted in-service. The Board finds that a VA examination and etiology opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his HIV.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis of HIV, but he contends that he was exposed to and contracted HIV while in-service. His post-service medical records indicate a possible connection between his HIV and his in-service exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2013
- Citation
- 1340741
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 1340741.
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 has denied service connection for treatment purposes only for PTSD and remanded the claim of service connection for treatment purposes only for HIV.
- Granted
The Veteran is found to be eligible for enrollment in the PCAFC program due to his severe and complex medical conditions, which require personal care services.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran contracted HIV during his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for HIV and rhabdomyolysis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty from April 1987 to August 1987. The Board found no current chronic disability, no in-service event, injury, or disease, and no link between a current disability and service.
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