The Board found that the Veteran's skin conditions, including eczema, vitiligo, alopecia, and discoid lupus erythematosus, were not shown to be related to his active service. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: There was no medical evidence showing the Veteran's skin conditions began during or immediately after his service in Vietnam, nor could any nexus between current diagnoses and service be established.
- Claimed conditions
- Skin Rashes (diagnosed as eczema, vitiligo and alopecia), Discoid lupus erythematosus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2009
- Citation
- 0939818
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 0939818.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome as proximately due to service connected systemic lupus erythematosus, and fibromyalgia as proximately due to service connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board also granted restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for temporomandibular joint disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as discoid lupus erythematosus, is being remanded for further development due to the need for an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding its etiology. The examiner must consider whether the condition is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or sun exposure while serving in Vietnam.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2013.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for discoid lupus erythematosus and a skin disorder (acute frequent dermatitis with systemic arthritis) as they are not shown to be related to active service, including exposure to herbicides.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.