The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current alopecia areata had its onset during active service. Therefore, service connection for alopecia areata is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not consider the statements of record from the Veteran indicating a history of substantial hair loss dating back to her time on active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- alopecia areata
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1331124
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 1331124.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.