The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 14, 2014, and a higher initial rating of 60 percent for lupus was granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had continuously prosecuted his service connection claim and opted into the modernized appeals system, which allowed for an earlier effective date. Additionally, the Veteran's constant or near-constant systemic therapy with Plaquenil supported a higher initial rating of 60 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- lupus erythematosus, discoid
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25035743
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for lupus erythematosus was dismissed as the Board's decision in April 2025 granted service connection with the earliest possible effective date and the highest possible rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to an inadequate VA examination and overlapping symptoms between her service-connected lupus and nonservice-connected fibromyalgia.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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