The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder of the head and an arthritic disability manifested by multiple painful joints, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims were also not supported by competent medical evidence showing a relationship between his current disabilities and any service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and either service or herbicide exposure, as well as no evidence linking these conditions to any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- skin disorder of the head, arthritic disability manifested by multiple painful joints
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21007309
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 21007309.
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 Board has determined that the VA did not substantially comply with its previous remand directives and requires further development for both issues on appeal, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's skin disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran's left hand disorder and skin disorder of the head are related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's skin disorder of the head is related to his service and any conceded herbicide exposure. The claim will be further reviewed after this development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's skin disorder, including on his upper extremities and head, is found to have its onset during service and is related to his active duty. Service connection for this condition is granted.
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.