The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exacerbations of System Lupus Erythematous (SLE) and a need for an addendum opinion from the February 2017 examiner. The issue of entitlement to higher initial disability ratings or separate compensable disability rating for fibromyalgia is also on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the remand directives were not substantially complied with, necessitating further development and examination.
- Claimed conditions
- System Lupus Erythematous (SLE), Lupus Nephritis, Fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2018
- Citation
- 1816391
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 1816391.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction of the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% is not proper and is void ab initio. Effective dates are denied for various service connection claims.,Multiple issues related to initial disability ratings, effective dates, and earlier effective dates for higher ratings are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.
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