The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae condition has not resulted in disfigurement of the head, face, or neck with visible or palpable tissue loss, gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features, or four or more characteristics of disfigurement. The disability does not encompass more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected and does not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae condition has been rated under Diagnostic Code 7800 based on the predominant disability being disfigurement of the head, face, or neck. The medical evidence does not show visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features; or at least four characteristics of disfigurement.
- Claimed conditions
- pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19150026
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are due to any incident of his period of active service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot swelling/pain, a left ankle condition, and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a compensable evaluation of service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, migraines headaches, left foot bunions (hallux valgus), right foot bunions (hallux valgus), and tinnitus to ensure proper development.
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