The Board denied service connection for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as there was no diagnosis of SLE in the medical records, and any symptoms were linked to Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), which is already service-connected.
The deciding factor: There was no current diagnosis of SLE in the medical records, and the Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his existing service-connected DLE.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20055946
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 20055946.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Board granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 100 percent for systemic lupus erythematosus but denied an increased rating from 50 percent for the mental health disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus and a kidney disability, to include as secondary to SLE, for further development, including a new VA examination.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for SLE and a 50 percent disability rating for OSA from March 24, 2015, to February 17, 2016. The claim for a higher rating for OSA after February 18, 2016, was denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.