If you’ve filed a VA claim for pseudofolliculitis, a skin condition prevalent among veterans, you can expect to be scheduled for an in-person Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam.
Understanding what to expect and how to prepare for the exam can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim, helping you secure the VA rating and compensation you rightfully deserve.
Pseudofolliculitis, commonly known as “razor bumps,” is typically triggered by shaving and results in inflamed, irritated hair follicles, especially on the face and neck.
While it might seem like a minor issue, this condition can lead to chronic discomfort, scarring, and a noticeable impact on your quality of life.
Pro Tip: Pseudofolliculitis, commonly known as “razor bumps,” is typically rated by the VA under the general criteria for skin conditions because there is no specific Diagnostic Code (DC) for this condition. The VA usually rates pseudofolliculitis by analogy under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7806 (Dermatitis or Eczema) or another similar skin condition code. Ratings can range from 0% to 60%, with breaks at 10% and 30%, depending on the severity of your symptoms and the extent of the skin affected.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- VA Ratings for Pseudofolliculitis: Pseudofolliculitis, or “razor bumps,” is usually rated by the VA under DC 7806 (Dermatitis or Eczema) since there’s no specific Diagnostic Code. VA ratings for razor bumps are either 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%, depending on symptom severity and skin coverage.
- Exam Objectives: The C&P exam for razor bumps is designed to confirm a medical diagnosis, establish service connection (if warranted), and evaluate the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your work, life, and social functioning.
- C&P Exam Process: The examiner will review your medical history, discuss your diagnosis and symptoms, assess the impact on daily life, and perform a physical examination.
- Preparation Tips: Gather relevant medical records, maintain a symptom diary, document the functional impacts of your condition, and review the DBQ for Skin Diseases to prepare for the exam.
What to Expect at Your C&P Exam for Pseudofolliculitis
A C&P exam for pseudofolliculitis is designed to evaluate three key areas:
- Medical Diagnosis Confirmation: The examiner will confirm if you have pseudofolliculitis and assess its severity.
- Nexus for Service Connection: The examiner will provide a medical opinion on whether your pseudofolliculitis was caused or aggravated by your military service or another service-connected condition.
- Severity of Symptoms Assessment: The examiner will evaluate the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms and how they negatively impact your work, life, and social functioning.
6 Things to Expect During Your Pseudofolliculitis VA C&P Exam:
Here’s six things you can expect on exam day:
- Review of Medical History: The examiner will review your medical records, including previous diagnoses, treatments, and evaluations related to your skin condition.
- Discussion of Symptoms: You’ll discuss when you first noticed the condition, how often it occurs, and the severity of your symptoms, including any associated pain, itching, or discomfort.
- Impact on Daily Life: Be prepared to explain how pseudofolliculitis affects your daily activities, such as working, sleeping, or socializing. Providing specific examples will help illustrate the impact of your condition.
- Physical Examination: The examiner will inspect the affected areas, noting the size, location, and extent of the irritation or scarring. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is typically diagnosed through a physical exam and review of medical history. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a dermatoscope—a tool that magnifies skin conditions—can be used to identify ingrown hairs. It’s also important to rule out other conditions that may resemble pseudofolliculitis barbae, such as acne, razor burn, or fungal infections.
- Diagnostic Testing: The examiner could order tests like skin biopsies or cultures to better assess the nature and severity of your condition. However, it’s uncommon for these tests to be conducted during a C&P exam. Typically, a physical exam is sufficient to make or confirm a diagnosis.
- Completion of the Skin Diseases DBQ: The examiner will document their findings on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Skin Diseases, which is submitted to the VA for rating purposes.
What Questions Will I Be Asked During a VA C&P Exam for Pseudofolliculitis?
During your C&P exam for razor burns, the examiner will likely ask you a series of questions based on the Skin Diseases DBQ form.
Here are some common questions you might be asked:
Diagnosis and History:
- When were you first diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis?
- How long have you been experiencing symptoms of pseudofolliculitis?
- Have your symptoms remained consistent, worsened, or improved over time?
Symptoms and Severity:
- Can you describe the symptoms you experience with pseudofolliculitis (e.g., redness, bumps, pain, itching, scarring)?
- How often do you experience flare-ups, and what triggers them?
- How severe are your symptoms during flare-ups?
- Do your symptoms affect certain areas of your body more than others (e.g., face, neck, scalp)?
Impact on Daily Life:
- How does pseudofolliculitis affect your daily activities, such as grooming, working, socializing, or sleeping?
- Have you had to modify your shaving habits or other routines due to pseudofolliculitis?
- Does the condition cause any discomfort or embarrassment in social or work settings?
Treatment History:
- What treatments have you tried for pseudofolliculitis (e.g., topical creams, oral medications, laser treatments)?
- How effective have these treatments been in managing your symptoms?
- Have you used systemic therapies like corticosteroids, phototherapy, or immunosuppressive drugs? If so, how often and for how long?
- Have you undergone any surgical procedures or other interventions to address your pseudofolliculitis?
Physical Examination:
- Are there any visible signs of pseudofolliculitis, such as bumps, scarring, or pigmentation changes?
- What percentage of your body or exposed areas are affected by the condition?
- Is there any tissue loss, asymmetry, or disfigurement due to pseudofolliculitis?
Functional Impact:
- Does pseudofolliculitis impact your ability to work or engage in specific activities?
- Can you provide examples of how the condition has affected your daily life and functioning?
Scars and Disfigurement:
- Do you have any scars or disfigurements from pseudofolliculitis?
- How many scars do you have, and where are they located?
- Are the scars painful, raised, or discolored?
How to Prepare for Your VA Pseudofolliculitis C&P Exam
Here’s some tips to help you prepare for your VA exam for pseudofolliculitis:
- Gather Records and Documents: Collect all relevant medical records, including treatment history and previous diagnoses. Bring copies to the exam for reference.
- Create a Symptom Diary: Track the frequency and severity of your pseudofolliculitis symptoms in the weeks leading up to your exam. Note any triggers and how the condition impacts your daily life.
- List Functional Impacts: Be prepared to discuss specific ways pseudofolliculitis affects your ability to perform daily tasks, such as working, sleeping, or socializing.
- Review the DBQ for Skin Diseases: Familiarize yourself with the DBQ to better understand what will be evaluated during your exam. This will help you provide clear and relevant information.
- Pro Tip: Upload pictures to support your claim! Take clear, dated photos of the affected areas during flare-ups and upload them to VA.gov in support of your claim. This visual evidence can be critical in demonstrating the severity of your condition.
DBQ for Skin Diseases [Download]
The VA DBQ for the Skin will be completed electronically by the C&P examiner at your exam.
Download a copy below to familiarize yourself with the questions and information that will be documented during your exam:
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
