The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain syndrome and an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome, and the evidence did not show a nexus between the Veteran’s lumbar spine disabilities and his claimed chronic pain. For PFB, the claim was granted with a 10% evaluation effective March 6, 2014.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a current diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome or a link to service-connected conditions for the claims related to chronic pain syndrome. The Veteran's PFB was rated based on its severity and treatment history, with no systemic therapy required over the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic pain syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19134482
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,038 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19134482.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
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