The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PFB and lower back strain have been denied. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted for PFB, as the condition did not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7813-7806. For lower back strain, the claim was also denied as there was no evidence meeting the criteria for an increased rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PFB did not manifest in lesions affecting at least 5% of body area with topical therapy required and a compensable rating is not warranted. For lower back strain, the claim was denied as there was no evidence meeting the criteria for an increased rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), Lower Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24069456
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 709 · Granted: 38% (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 A24069456.
What this means for you
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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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