The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, but the issue is remanded. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse has also been reopened and is being remanded. The initial rating for migraine headaches remains at 50%.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence related to the Veteran's in-service injury and symptoms of ingrown hairs, knots, and scars supports reopening his PFB claim. His alcohol abuse claim was also reopened due to new evidence linking it to PTSD. The initial rating for migraine headaches remains at 50%.
- Claimed conditions
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), Alcohol Abuse, Migraine Headaches
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 13, 2022
- Citation
- 22040132
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 22040132.
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 bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's 50% disability rating for migraine headaches was restored as the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- 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.
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