The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional examination.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's autoimmune or systemic disorder, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, is related to service, particularly her breast implants from January 1975.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Connective Tissue Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2016
- Citation
- 1606080
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1606080.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's Systemic Lupus Erythematosus was pre-existing and worsened during service, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's disability rating for systemic lupus erythematosus was reduced from 100% to noncompensable effective February 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction was proper and denied restoration of the 100% rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder. The claims for discoid lupus, malabsorption disorder, Sjogren's syndrome, and low back disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an increased rating for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and has found the Veteran's right hand arthritis claim to be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The decision on the right hand arthritis claim will need to be reconsidered after obtaining necessary medical opinions.
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