The Veteran's claims for service connection for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and left wrist rheumatoid arthritis are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his alleged exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Left Hand Arthritis, Right Hand Arthritis, Left Wrist Rheumatoid Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2022
- Citation
- A22023001
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 A22023001.
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.
- 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 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 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.
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