The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is granted. Service connection for SLE is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The issue of service connection for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) secondary to SLE is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) was granted, but the service connection itself remains denied due to lack of evidence linking it to a service-connected disability. The issue of service connection for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) secondary to SLE is remanded as there has been no statement of the case issued.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19121967
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,162 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19121967.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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