Pseudofolliculitis Barbae VA Rating Explained: How the VA Rates Razor Bumps

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Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) often starts with mandatory shaving during service, and for many, it doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. 

If you have a current diagnosis and evidence tying your condition to military service, you may qualify for a pseudofolliculitis barbae VA rating. 

Below, we break down how the VA rates PFB, what’s needed to establish service connection, and what to expect during a compensation & pension exam. 

Let’s get to it. 

Summary of Key Points

• A pseudofolliculitis barbae VA rating depends on the percentage of skin affected, the type and duration of treatment, and whether scarring of the head, face, or neck is present. 

• Most PFB claims are rated by analogy under diagnostic code (DC) 7806, but facial scarring may be rated under DC 7800. 

• To prove service connection, you must have a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service injury or illness, and a medical nexus connecting your condition to your military service. 

• You can file a VA claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae online, in person, by mail, or via fax. 

What is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae?

Pseudofolliculitis barbae, or razor bumps, is a chronic skin condition that occurs when shaved hair curls back into the skin. It most commonly affects the beard area but can also appear on the neck or scalp. 

Symptoms the VA may look for include: 

• Inflamed papules or pustules 

• Painful razor bumps 

• Hyperpigmentation or dark spots 

• Recurrent infections 

• Permanent scarring or keloids 

• Ongoing irritation despite shaving modifications 

For many service members, strict grooming standards and frequent shaving during military service can trigger or worsen the condition, leading to ongoing symptoms, infections, hyperpigmentation, and permanent skin changes. 

How the VA Rates Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB)

Razor bumps are usually rated by analogy under DC 7806 using the VA’s General Rating Formula for the Skin, but scarring of the head, face, or neck from pseudofolliculitis barbae may be evaluated under DC 7800. 

A VA rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae depends on how much of your skin is impacted by your condition, the need for systemic therapy, and whether scarring is present. 

VA Rating Chart (Skin Conditions)

General Rating Formula for the Skin	VA Rating
At least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or  Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period	60%
At least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or  Systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12-month period	30%
At least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or  At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected; or  Intermittent systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period	10%
No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of the entire body affected; or  Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected	0%
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability. This rating instruction does not apply to DC 7824

VA Rating Chart (Scars)

If PFB has caused scarring on the head, face, or neck, the VA may assign a rating under DC 7800.  

Although VA ratings for scars range from 10% to 80%, the following ratings most commonly apply when PFB results in scarring. 

7800, Burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck:	VA Rating
With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with two or three characteristics of disfigurement	30%
With one characteristic of disfigurement	10%

Proving Service Connection

To qualify for a pseudofolliculitis barbae VA rating, you must establish that the condition is related to your military service through one of the following methods. 

Direct Service Connection

Direct service connection is the most common path for pseudofolliculitis barbae and applies when the condition began during service or was aggravated by military shaving requirements. 

To be eligible for a PFB VA rating, you must show: 

1. A current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae documented in your medical records 

2. An in-service injury, illness, or event 

3. A medical nexus connecting the pseudofolliculitis barbae to your service 

Secondary Service Connection

Secondary service connection means your pseudofolliculitis barbae is caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected disability.  

You must show a qualifying primary condition, though both conditions can be claimed at the same time. 

For example, if a service-connected disability requires medication that worsens your PFB, you may qualify. Medical evidence linking the primary condition to your pseudofolliculitis barbae is required for a VA rating. 

Presumptive Service Connection

Presumptive service connection allows the VA to grant benefits for certain conditions without requiring direct proof that they were caused by military service. 

PFB may qualify under the Gulf War presumptive provisions as a chronic skin symptom associated with an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.  

If you served in the Gulf War and have experienced chronic PFB symptoms for six months or longer, you may qualify for a pseudofolliculitis barbae VA rating on a presumptive basis. 

Learn More: Why VA Presumptive Conditions are Easy to Get Approved 

How to File for a Claim for PFB

You can file a VA claim online or download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it: 

• By mail 

• Via fax 

• In person at a VA regional office 

See More: The Best Way to File a VA Claim

C&P Exam for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

A compensation & pension (C&P) exam for pseudofolliculitis barbae confirms your current diagnosis, determines service connection, and documents the severity of your symptoms. 

During the exam, the examiner will: 

• Review your medical history 

• Ask about the onset and frequency of symptoms 

• Examine affected areas for signs of irritation or scarring  

• Assess how the condition affects daily activities, such as work, grooming, and social interactions. 

Findings are recorded in the VA Skin Diseases DBQ and submitted to the VA for rating purposes. 

>> Related: C&P Exam for Pseudofolliculitis (Razor Bumps)

Denied Pseudofolliculitis Barbae VA Claim?

Don’t let a denied VA claim discourage you from seeking the benefits you rightfully deserve. If the VA denies your PFB claim, you can: 

• File a Supplemental Claim if you have new and relevant evidence to submit. 

• Request a Higher-Level Review if you don’t have new evidence, but feel the VA made a mistake in your initial claim. 

• Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if you want to appeal directly to the Veterans Law Judge. 

Learn More: How to Appeal a VA Disability Claim Denial 

Conclusion

Pseudofolliculitis barbae can be rated by the VA at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%, depending on how much of your skin is affected, whether exposed areas like the face or neck are involved, and the type and duration of treatment required. For veterans whose PFB began or worsened due to military shaving requirements, a current diagnosis and strong medical evidence can make the difference in securing the correct VA disability rating and monthly compensation.

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