The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for autoimmune diseases, chronic joint pain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee disability, right knee disability, interstitial lung disease, deep vein thrombosis, low testosterone, kidney disability, avascular necrosis, and hormone imbalance due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims are remanded for additional development including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records from the VA medical center in Detroit, Michigan, dated January 1977 through 1978, and private treatment records from S.W., M.D. The Veteran's autoimmune diseases need clarification due to his service at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The claims are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's autoimmune diseases and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- autoimmune disease, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, lupus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18122113
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18122113.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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