The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of folliculitis and headaches, finding that no increase in disability was factually ascertainable prior to May 15, 2023.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to May 15, 2023.
The deciding factor: The Board found that no increase in disability was factually ascertainable prior to May 15, 2023, for the increased ratings of folliculitis and headaches.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to May 15, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- Folliculitis, Headaches not otherwise specified
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26031193
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 A26031193.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of February 6, 2024, for the award of a 10 percent rating for folliculitis. The Veteran's claim was pending since January 17, 2014, but the evidence did not show that his disability manifested at a 10 percent level prior to February 6, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for arterioslerotic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, chloracne, dermatitis, folliculitis, actinic keratosis, and dyshydrosis have been granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post coronary artery bypass graft from July 25, 2011. The hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and chloracne claims are also granted under presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, tinnitus, lung problems, jaw problems, and folliculitis due to the Veteran's inability to report for VA examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board granted annual clothing allowances for right and left knee braces and a back brace, but denied allowances for capsaicin cream and Voltaren topical medications.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.