The Veteran's SLE is rated at 60 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claim for a TDIU was also denied as there were no indications of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's SLE resulted in severe impairment of health, which would warrant a higher rating under DC 6350. For the TDIU claim, the Board found that while the Veteran had multiple service-connected conditions, none rendered him unemployable due to his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Degenerative disc disease, status post C5-6 discectomy and fusion, cervical spine, Status post arthroscopy, excision medial synovial plica, left knee, Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, Scar, medial tip, right fifth digit associated with limitation of motion, status post laceration with repair, right fifth digit, Status post debridement of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 13, 2010
- Citation
- 1046583
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 1046583.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are duty to assist errors in the prior November 2018 rating decision and remands the claims for further development. The issues of service connection for SLE, IBS, GERD, and headaches remain unresolved due to insufficient evidence.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial higher rating for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). As a result, the claim is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU), as well as the issue of a higher rating for SLE, due to inadequate duty to assist and lack of adequate statement of reasons and bases.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis and remanded the claims for autoimmune associated interstitial lung disease (lung disease) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
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