The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including unavailability of service treatment records and need for a new VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lupus. The appeal is now pending again with instructions for further action.
The deciding factor: The decision was not clear on whether service connection could be granted based on direct evidence or if it would have to go through presumptive exposure channels, which were not applicable in this case due to Agent Orange not being listed as a presumptive disease. The remand also includes the need for an examination regarding secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- lupus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1707391
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 1707391.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for lupus and discoid lupus erythematosus due to potential exposure through a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) in service, including as a fire support specialist. The Veteran will be provided with an examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lupus, increased disability ratings for Tourette's syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and a right upper extremity scar. The Veteran was not provided notice of his right to a hearing on these supplemental claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lupus and related conditions render her in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, were granted. The rating for Raynaud's disease was restored to a lower level, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA were established.
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