The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, is rated at 50 percent and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's alopecia areata is currently rated noncompensable and denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the acquired psychiatric disorder. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating, which requires more severe impairment.,There is no total body hair loss documented by medical records; therefore, alopecia areata is rated noncompensable.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Unspecified Anxiety Disorder), Alopecia Areata
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189288
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19189288.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia and alopecia areata was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent disability rating.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
An increased rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder from September 20, 2012 to September 15, 2016 has been denied.,An increased rating of 70 percent for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder from September 15, 2016 to May 4, 2021 has been granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar strain, GERD, migraines, and alopecia areata were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions have not been established.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for GERD, cervicogenic headaches, and alopecia areata. The Board finds that these claims are not properly before it due to a pending appeal regarding other issues.,The Veteran's GERD is rated as 30% disabling under Diagnostic Code 7346.
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