Citation Nr: 21065863
Decision Date: 10/27/21	Archive Date: 10/27/21

DOCKET NO. 15-41 779
DATE: October 27, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

 

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served an honorable period of active duty from January 2005 to January 2011.  He also served on active duty from January 2011 to August 2012, with a discharge characterized as "other than honorable."

The case is on appeal from a March 2014 rating decision.

Most recently, in a June 2021 decision, the Board remanded the case for further development.

Service connection for PFB.

As noted, the claim was remanded by the Board in June 2021 for further development, including a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's PFB.  The Veteran was afforded an August 2021 VA opinion in which the examiner opined the skin disorder is not related to service.  He stated the Veteran was diagnosed with PFB in 2003, which is prior to his active service.  Thus, he indicated the Veteran's PFB was not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board finds an additional VA opinion is warranted to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PFB.  As the Veteran's PFB was first diagnosed in 2003, which is prior to his active service, an opinion is required to determine whether the skin condition, if preexisting, was aggravated by service.

In light of the remand, updated VA treatment records should be obtained.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain updated VA treatment records from August 2020.

2. Refer the claims file to an appropriate medical professional who has not previously provided an opinion in this case, for a VA opinion as to the etiology of the Veteran's PFB.  The need for another examination is left to the discretion of the examiner.

The examiner should address the following:

(a) Is it clear and unmistakable (i.e., undebatable from a medical standpoint) that the Veteran's PFB preexisted service?

(b) If so, is it clear and unmistakable (i.e., undebatable from a medical standpoint) that the Veteran's preexisting PFB was not aggravated by service?

Aggravation is an increase in severity beyond a temporary flare-up or natural progress of the disease.

(c) If the Veteran's PFB did not preexist service, is it at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran's present PFB had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, service?

The examiner should address the Veteran's 2003 diagnosis of PFB, as well as the lay evidence of record.

 

 

RYAN T. KESSEL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Isaacs, Brandon

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.