The Board has granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran's treating physician, who opined that SLE should be considered a sequelae of untreated hepatitis C.
The deciding factor: The Board found the March 2020 letter from the Veteran’s rheumatologist more probative than the February 2020 VA examination opinion, which disputed the diagnosis and claimed no causal relationship between hepatitis C and SLE. The rheumatologist's letter provided a positive nexus opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20031377
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 20031377.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for chronic tension headaches but denied higher ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, remanded claims for cervical strain, fibromyalgia, SLE, and TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand arthritis due to the Veteran's service-connected SLE. The cases of hiatal hernia and SLE are remanded as there were issues with the reasoning provided.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, finding that the current condition is less likely than not related to service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claims of service connection for SLE, COPD, and rhinitis/sinusitis are reopened due to new evidence. Osteoporosis is granted as a separate condition.
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