The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder associated with alopecia areata and denied a request for an earlier effective date for TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support higher initial ratings under any applicable diagnostic criteria, and there was no credible evidence showing that the Veteran was unable to work prior to March 26, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- Alopecia areata
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19170574
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19170574.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for service connection for alopecia areata is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral dry eye syndrome with vision impairment scars are remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headache disorder, plantar fasciitis, left and right knee disabilities, and left and right shoulder disabilities. It also granted an initial 70 percent rating for GAD from December 30, 2019.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression; alopecia areata; and a left knee disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a current disability or sufficient symptomatology to warrant a compensable evaluation.
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