The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) prior to May 23, 2016. After the May 2016 VA examination, his disability was rated at 30 percent effective from that date. The decision is based on evidence showing intermittent systemic therapy such as oral antibiotics for more than six weeks in all relevant twelve-month periods since filing his claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran required an oral antibiotic (systemic therapy) to treat PFB for a total duration of more than six weeks in all relevant twelve-month periods since filing his claim, warranting a 30 percent rating for the entire period.
- Claimed conditions
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18158797
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 18158797.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal to revise the effective date for a 50% disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is dismissed because the July 2024 proposed rating decision was not an appealable determination.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for PFB is denied as the condition did not manifest through scarring or disfigurement during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and vertigo are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The PFB claim is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Granted
Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is granted. The appeal of a deferral of service connection for PFB is dismissed.
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