Water Heater Shutoff Valve Leaking

[zzmac]

I have a leak in the cold water inlet pipe on the top of my water heater. It's coming out the threaded part of the shutoff valve right behind the blue handle (see pic). Does that whole piece with the handle just screw off where the brass bolt is?
Wouldn't be soldered on, right? Simple re & re?
Thanks everyone!

 

[Diehard]

No, it is not soldered on.
That is the stem packing that's leaking.
You may want to try just tightening up on that nut a bit first. If that doesn't work you must take it apart to replace the packing.
Shut off water feeding that line first.