The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, to include residuals of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, and denied a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 5, 2023, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from June 5, 2023, for scars, neck and left cheek, associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae. However, the Board granted service connection for a left second digit scar with pain.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's heart disability was related to his in-service events or service-connected PTSD, nor did it show that his pseudofolliculitis barbae warranted a compensable rating. The scars associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae also did not meet the criteria for higher ratings. However, there was evidence supporting the Veteran's claim for a left second digit scar with pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart disability (residuals of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease), Left second digit scar with pain, Pseudofolliculitis barbae, Scars, neck and left cheek, associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023462
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 878 · Granted: 36% (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 A25023462.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as the condition affects less than 5% of his exposed and total body area.
- Denied
The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has not been established, as he can use assistive devices to dress himself and maintain cleanliness of appearance.
- Denied
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- Denied
The Board denied higher disability ratings for the veteran's low back and lower extremity radiculopathies, pseudofolliculitis barbae, pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.
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