The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring prior to February 7, 2025 is denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and urinary frequency, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and vertigo are all denied. There is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule, as there was no characteristic of disfigurement warranting such a rating and no painful or unstable scars.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and urinary frequency, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and vertigo. The conditions are not linked to service or any presumptive exposure basis.
- Claimed conditions
- pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and urinary frequency, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26017015
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26017015.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
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