Service connection for lupus is denied. An increased disability rating of 70 percent, and no higher, for PTSD from November 15, 2011 to February 26, 2020 is granted. An increased disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD from February 26, 2020, forward, is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lupus was not incurred or aggravated by service and the evidence does not show continuous symptoms since service. The PTSD disability picture approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas during the period of November 15, 2011 to February 26, 2020, but did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lupus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21024426
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 21024426.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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