The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected alopecia areata, which is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this rating.
The deciding factor: The VA found no evidence of tissue loss, cicatrization, or other deformities that would justify a higher rating under either the old or new criteria for evaluating alopecia areata.
- Claimed conditions
- alopecia areata
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2008
- Citation
- 0817374
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0817374.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alopecia areata was dismissed because she submitted a request for Higher Level Review (HLR) before filing her Notice of Disagreement, which constitutes an impermissible concurrent election.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for other specified stressor and trauma related disorder, as well as service connection for alopecia areata, were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a 100% disability rating for the former condition or establish service connection for the latter.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, asbestos, and lead paint, is denied.,Service connection for alopecia areata, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, asbestos, and lead paint, is denied.,Secondary service connection for fatigue (claimed as fatigue) is granted.,Secondary service connection for cognitive slowing (claimed as memory and concentration difficulties) is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hair loss (alopecia areata) as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer. The Veteran's other claims of service connection for various conditions related to Gulf War exposure were denied.
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