DERMATITIS OR ECZEMA

Summary

The veteran, who served from August 1992 to August 1996, appeals the denial of a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae - PFB) from January 15, 2025. The veteran sought a rating higher than the non-compensable 0% rating assigned by the VA Regional Office. The Board reviewed the evidence, including the March 2025 VA examination report, to determine if the PFB met the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7806. The Board found that the evidence did not preponderate in favor of a higher rating. The March 2025 VA examination indicated that the PFB affected less than five percent of the exposed area (jaw, chin, neck) and required constant topical corticosteroid therapy (Hydrocortisone cream). The Board noted that a 10% rating under DC 7806 requires involvement of at least five percent of the body or exposed areas, or intermittent systemic therapy. The evidence did not support these criteria, as the condition affected less than five percent of the area and the therapy was topical. The Board also considered other diagnostic codes for disfigurement or scarring but found they were not applicable based on the examination findings. Therefore, the Board concluded that the evidence supported a non-compensable rating and denied the appeal for a higher rating.

Rationale

Evidence shows PFB affected less than five percent of exposed area; Evidence shows constant topical corticosteroid therapy; Criteria for 10% rating under DC 7806 not met

Full Decision Text

Citation Nr: A26039356
Decision Date: 04/28/26	Archive Date: 04/28/26

DOCKET NO. 250514-546153
DATE: April 28, 2026

ORDER

A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the service-connected razor bumps from January 15, 2025 is denied.

FINDING OF FACT

From January 15, 2025, the service-connected razor bumps covered less than five percent of the exposed area and total body area affected (jaw, chin, and neck area) and required not more than constant topical corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSION OF LAW

The criteria for a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the service-connected razor bumps from January 15, 2025 are not met. ?38?U.S.C. §§?1155, 5103, 5103A, 5107;?38?C.F.R. §§?3.102, 3.159, 3.321, 4.3, 4.7, 4.20, 4.118, Diagnostic Code (DC) 7806.

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The Veteran, who is the appellant, had active service from August 1992 to August 1996.

This matter comes to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2025 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, also known as the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) or modernized review system, created a new framework of review for veterans who disagree with VA's decision on their claim.  In the May 2025 VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal, the Veteran elected the Direct docket.

In this AMA case, the Board may only consider the evidence of record at the time of the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) decision on appeal (April 24, 2025).  38 C.F.R. § 20.303.  The Board cannot consider evidence submitted during the period after the AOJ issued the decision on appeal.  38 C.F.R. § 20.303.

If the Veteran would like VA to consider any evidence that was submitted that the Board could not consider for the issue denied in this decision, the Veteran may file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) and submit or identify this evidence.  38 C.F.R. § 3.2501.  If the evidence is new and relevant, VA will issue another decision on the claim, considering the new evidence in addition to the evidence previously considered.  Id.  Specific instructions for filing a Supplemental Claim are included with this decision.

To date, the Veteran has not designated an individual or Veterans Service Organization as a representative; therefore, the Board recognizes the Veteran as proceeding pro se in this appeal.

DISABILITY RATINGS LEGAL CRITERIA

Disability ratings are determined by applying the criteria set forth in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule) found in 38 C.F.R. § Part 4. 38 U.S.C. § 1155.  It is not expected that all cases will show all the findings specified; however, findings sufficiently characteristic to identify the disease and the disability therefrom and coordination of rating with impairment of function will be expected in all instances.  38 C.F.R. § 4.21.  Where there is a question as to which of two disability ratings shall be applied, the higher rating will be assigned if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned.  38 C.F.R. § 4.7.

It is the defined and consistently applied policy of VA to administer the law under a broad interpretation, consistent, however, with the facts shown in every case.  When after careful consideration of all procurable and assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding the degree of disability such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant.  38 C.F.R. § 4.3.

Where there is a question as to which of two disability ratings shall be applied, the higher rating will be assigned if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.  Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned.  38 C.F.R. § 4.7.  It is the defined and consistently applied policy of VA to administer the law under a broad interpretation, consistent, however, with the facts shown in every case.  When after careful consideration of all procurable and assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding the degree of disability such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant.
 doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant.  38 C.F.R. § 4.3.

Where there is a question as to which of two disability ratings shall be applied, the higher rating will be assigned if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.  Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned.  38 C.F.R. § 4.7.  It is the defined and consistently applied policy of VA to administer the law under a broad interpretation, consistent, however, with the facts shown in every case.  When after careful consideration of all procurable and assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding the degree of disability such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant.  38 C.F.R. § 4.3.

The Veteran has appealed from a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating assigned for razor bumps assigned by the April 2025 rating decision.  In May 2025 via a VA Form 10182 the Veteran appealed for a higher (compensable) disability rating.  In Fenderson v. West, 12 Vet. App. 119, 125-26 (1999), the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims addressed a similar appeal and directed that such appeal of the initial rating assigned following a grant of service connection was specifically not a claim for an increased disability rating.  Initial disability ratings are downstream elements of the service connection claim that result in the grant of service connection.  

The razor bumps were initially rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin (DC 7806 for dermatitis or eczema) and 38 C.F.R. § 4.118.  Under DC 7806, a 10 percent rating is assigned where there is involvement of at least five percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body, or at least five percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected, or; intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period.

Effective August 31, 2018, VA regulations explicitly state that "systemic" therapy is treatment that is administered through any route (orally, injection, suppository, intranasally) other than the skin, and "topical" therapy is treatment that is administered through the skin.  38 C.F.R. § 4.118(a).

A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the service-connected razor bumps from January 15, 2025 is denied.

The Veteran appeals for a higher compensable initial disability rating for razor bumps from January 15, 2025.  See May 2025 substantive appeal to the Board.

After a review of all evidence, lay and medical, the persuasive weight of the evidence is against a finding that the symptoms, findings, and functional impairment of the razor bump condition more nearly approximate the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating under DC 7806.  From January 15, 2025, the evidence shows that the service-connected razor bumps covered less than five percent of the exposed area and total body area affected (jaw, chin, and neck area) and required constant topical corticosteroid therapy.

The March 2025 VA examination report for skin conditions shows that the service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was treated with corticosteroids (topical Hydrocortisone cream) that was constant/near constant.  On examination, the razor bumps/PFB covered less than five percent of the total body area and exposed area affected.  The examiner indicated that there were bumps with ingrowing hair on the jaw, chin, and neck area but that the skin condition did not cause scarring or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck.  The examiner indicated that the PFB did not impact the Veteran's ability to work.  

The Board finds that the persuasive weight of the lay and medical evidence shows that a noncompensable disability rating is warranted.  The evidence shows that the PFB, which caused razor bumps with ingrown hair on the jaw, chin, and neck, covered less than five percent of the total body area and the exposed area along with the use of constant topical therapy (Hydrocortisone cream).  These facts are consistent with a noncompensable disability rating under DC 7806.  

A higher initial rating for 10 percent is not warranted because the evidence does not show that the PFB involved at least five percent of the entire body area or exposed area affected, which is required for a 10 percent rating under DC 7806.  The March 2025 VA examiner indicated the PFB covers less than five percent of these areas.  The Veteran has not submitted
 the PFB, which caused razor bumps with ingrown hair on the jaw, chin, and neck, covered less than five percent of the total body area and the exposed area along with the use of constant topical therapy (Hydrocortisone cream).  These facts are consistent with a noncompensable disability rating under DC 7806.  

A higher initial rating for 10 percent is not warranted because the evidence does not show that the PFB involved at least five percent of the entire body area or exposed area affected, which is required for a 10 percent rating under DC 7806.  The March 2025 VA examiner indicated the PFB covers less than five percent of these areas.  The Veteran has not submitted evidence, including photographs or lay testimony or statement, to the effect that the PFB covered more than five percent of exposed area affected or total body area.  

The evidence also does not show the need for intermittent systemic (internal) therapy, which is required for a 10 percent rating under DC 7806.  The evidence shows that the PFB required Hydrocortisone cream, which is a corticosteroid, but the examination report shows the cream was administered topically, not systemically (orally, injection, suppository, intranasally).

The Board has also considered whether a compensable rating would be available under any other DC.  The Board finds that, because the March 2025 VA examination report shows no disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (provided for by DC 7800) or scarring (provided for by DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), consideration under a different DC for rating is not required.

For the foregoing reasons, the Board finds that the criteria are not met for a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for razor bumps from January 15, 2025; therefore, the appeal must be denied. 

 

 

J. PARKER

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	I. Comis

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.