The Board denied benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 for a child born with birth defects and remanded the claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for a child born with spina bifida.

The deciding factor: The appellant's mother is not a Vietnam veteran, which disqualifies her from receiving benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 for birth defects other than spina bifida. The claim for spina bifida was remanded due to the need for further clarification on whether the appellant has an open or closed form of spina bifida.

Claimed conditions

birth defects, spina bifida

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 8, 2025

Citation

A25105373

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