The Veteran's hallux valgus of the left foot existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service. The Veteran is denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.,The Veteran’s pseudofolliculitis barbae has been diagnosed, but there is no credible evidence suggesting it was incurred in service. The Veteran's skin condition is therefore not service-connected.
The deciding factor: The pre-existing hallux valgus of the left foot did not increase in severity during service and thus cannot be considered aggravated.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran’s pseudofolliculitis barbae was incurred or aggravated by service, as there are no records indicating it developed during service.
- Claimed conditions
- hallux valgus of the left foot, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18156818
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 18156818.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date, and the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, the minimum allowed under VA regulations. The condition involves less than 20% of exposed areas but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, high blood pressure, and low back condition. Service connection was also denied for pseudofolliculitis barbae.
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