The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other factor.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that there was no relationship between SLE and the service-connected disabilities or inservice drug therapy, despite some equivocal opinions suggesting secondary relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2000
- Citation
- 0004644
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 0004644.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent for systemic lupus erythematosus but denied an increased rating from 50 percent for the mental health disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus and a kidney disability, to include as secondary to SLE, for further development, including a new VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for SLE and a 50 percent disability rating for OSA from March 24, 2015, to February 17, 2016. The claim for a higher rating for OSA after February 18, 2016, was denied.
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.