The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a bilateral leg disorder. The claims will be considered based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records confirm both Vietnam Service Medal with two stars and service at Camp Lejeune. His post-service treatment records indicate diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a bilateral leg disorder. The claims are remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bilateral Leg Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21064507
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 21064507.
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 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus was pre-existing and worsened during service, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's disability rating for systemic lupus erythematosus was reduced from 100% to noncompensable effective February 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction was proper and denied restoration of the 100% rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an increased rating for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and has found the Veteran's right hand arthritis claim to be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The decision on the right hand arthritis claim will need to be reconsidered after obtaining necessary medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus due to a lack of a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lupus is related to his active service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
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