The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for lupus and discoid lupus erythematosus due to potential exposure through a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) in service, including as a fire support specialist. The Veteran will be provided with an examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.
The deciding factor: The PACT Act established a statutory duty on the part of VA to provide a disability examination and/or obtain a medical opinion when a toxic-exposed veteran submits a claim for compensation and the evidence is not otherwise sufficient to establish service connection for the claimed disability. The Veteran's DD 214 reflects a military occupational specialty of 'fire support specialist,' which includes a high probability of asbestos exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- lupus, discoid lupus erythematosus
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26036165
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 A26036165.
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 decided to remand the claims for service connection for lupus, increased disability ratings for Tourette's syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and a right upper extremity scar. The Veteran was not provided notice of his right to a hearing on these supplemental claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lupus and related conditions render her in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, were granted. The rating for Raynaud's disease was restored to a lower level, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA were established.
- Granted
Effective August 26, 2023, the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation at the rate intermediate between 38 U.S.C. 1114(m) and 38 U.S.C. 1114(n) (M12) is granted, subject to law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Additionally, a 30 percent rating for service-connected migraines is granted effective August 26, 2023.
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