The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, specifically related to its onset during service. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion considering the Veteran's exposure to blood from wounded soldiers in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner’s initial opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's credible statements regarding his exposure to the blood of wounded soldiers and the possible duration of his hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19157060
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 19157060.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical disc disease with radiculopathy, secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Board also granted ratings of 50%, 80%, and 40% for various neurological conditions affecting the lower extremities, as well as a rating of 60% for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at 100 percent prior to January 7, 2022. The Board has remanded for further development regarding his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and TMJ conditions, prevent him from securing and following gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 29, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded both claims for neck and scalp cysts, as well as hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a statement of the case (SOC), and an appropriate VA examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.
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