The veteran is seeking service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a condition he claims developed during military service. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for an examination by a specialist to determine the nature and extent of any currently diagnosed SLE, is necessary before deciding his claim.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's SLE as requested by VA. The Board finds that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination, is needed to determine if there is any link between the veteran's current diagnosis of SLE and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- auto-immune dysfunction, systemic lupus erythematosus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2004
- Citation
- 0403784
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 0403784.
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 denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and systemic lupus erythematosus as there was no evidence of onset during active service or etiological relationship to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Dismissed
The appeal of entitlement to an increased disability rating for lupus was dismissed due to the Veteran attempting to appeal a deferral, which cannot be appealed.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a left hamstring disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and various other disabilities. The claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, acquired psychiatric, systemic lupus erythematosus, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, left knee, right knee, and bilateral shin splints were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus, and an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD. It also granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
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