The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and bipolar disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for PFB as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Board also found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, necessitating further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), Acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and bipolar disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2025
- Citation
- A25039272
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 910 · Granted: 31% (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 A25039272.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of allergic rhinitis. Service connection is granted for a skin disorder (Pseudofolliculitis barbae) and denied for a chronic cervical spine disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The claim for a compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and has remanded the issues regarding lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bladder and/or bowel disorder related to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for PFB. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo examinations as directed.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
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