The Board denied service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, a compensable rating for postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was also denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, as it did not begin during service or be related to any in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis were rated based on the absence of hoarseness, while his right thumb disability was rated based on ankylosis without favorable or unfavorable criteria being met.
- Claimed conditions
- seborrheic dermatitis, postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion, gastritis, an unspecified anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18143456
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 18143456.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, anemia, and gastritis as the conditions were not shown to be related to or aggravated by service.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 60 percent from January 27, 2016 to July 7, 2022 for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a compensable rating and an increased rating for gastritis, gastroenteritis, and GERD to obtain a retrospective medical opinion on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms without the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for alopecia areata or alopecia androgenic, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and seborrheic dermatitis due to a need for additional evidence.
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