For the initial rating period from April 1, 2011 to November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is granted.,For the initial rating period after November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is denied.,A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the left hand scar is denied.,An initial non-compensable (0%) disability rating for the healed fracture of the navicular bone in the left foot (left ankle disability) remains unchanged.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating under Diagnostic Code 7813 for PFB with alopecia during any period on appeal.,The Veteran's left hand scar has not been unstable or painful, does not involve an area of at least 6 square inches (39 square centimeters), and has not resulted in any functional impairment. Therefore, a higher initial rating is not warranted under Diagnostic Code 7805.,The healed fracture of the navicular bone in the left foot should be correctly labeled as a left ankle disability to avoid confusion with symptoms associated with bilateral pes planus.,Further examination and evaluation are needed to determine if there has been any change in the Veteran's condition that would warrant a higher initial rating for the left ankle disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) with alopecia, Healed fracture of the navicular bone in the left foot (left ankle disability), Left hand scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21068752
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 21068752.
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is dismissed, while diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss are granted with specific ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied all initial disability ratings for the veteran's low back, left foot, left little finger, right wrist, tinnitus, and scars disabilities, except for a separate 10 percent evaluation for a painful scar of the back.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, bilateral ankle disabilities, hypertension, left knee disability, right little finger disability, and left hand scar as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Granted
The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of December 22, 2017.
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