RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

BRANCH OF SERVICE:  MARINE CORPS 
SEPARATION DATE:  20021130 

 
NAME:  XXXX 
CASE NUMBER:  PD1200464 
BOARD DATE:  20121031 
 
 
SUMMARY  OF  CASE:    Data  extracted  from  the  available  evidence  of  record  reflects  that  this 
covered  individual  (CI)  was  a  Reserve  LCPL/E-3  (Food  Service  Specialist,  3381),  medically 
separated for folliculitis decalvans (FD).  The CI was initially diagnosed with FD in 2001, treated 
by  dermatology  with  shampoo,  topical  cream,  anti-inflammatory  and  antibiotic  medications.  
He  did  not  improve  adequately  to  perform  his  Military  Occupational  Specialty  (MOS)  in  full 
capacity.    He  was  unable  to  comply  with  military  grooming  regulations,  was  not  worldwide 
assignable, and referred for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB).  The MEB forwarded no other 
conditions  for  Physical  Evaluation  Board  (PEB)  adjudication.    The  PEB  adjudicated  the  FD 
condition as unfitting, rated 10%, with application of the Veteran’s Affairs Schedule for Rating 
Disabilities  (VASRD).    The  CI  made  no  appeals,  and  was  medically  separated  with  a  10% 
disability rating. 
 
 
CI CONTENTION:  “My disability (service-connected), folliculitis decalvans, has no known cure.  
Therefore, 
incurable  disability/disorder. 
(continued) At the time of my disability separation it was stated that scars on my scalp had let 
to bleeding over my pillowcase.  It has been nearly a decade since this, and yet I still experience 
bleeding (occasionally) over my pillowcase.  As mentioned on the first page (item 3) I still take 
medications to try to minimize scalp inflammation. 
 
 
SCOPE OF REVIEW:  The Board wishes to clarify that the scope of its review as defined in the 
Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6040.44, Enclosure 3, paragraph 5.e.(2) is limited to 
those conditions which were determined by the PEB to be specifically unfitting for continued 
military  service;  or,  when  requested  by  the  CI,  those  condition(s)  “identified  but  not 
determined to be unfitting by the PEB.”  The ratings for unfitting conditions will be reviewed in 
all cases.  The FD condition requested for consideration meets the criteria prescribed in DoDI 
6040.44 for Board purview, and is accordingly addressed below.  Any condition or contention 
not  requested  in  this  application,  or  otherwise  outside  the  Board’s  defined  scope  of  review, 
remain eligible for future consideration by Board for Correction of Naval Records. 
 
 
RATING COMPARISON:   
 

I  am  continuously  taking  medication  for  this 

VA (~6 Mos. Post-Separation) – All Effective Date 20021201 

Rating 
10% 

Condition 
Folliculitis Decalvans 
No Additional VA Entries 

Code 

7899-7806 

Rating 
10%* 

Exam 

20030630 
20030630 

Folliculitis Decalvans 

Service IPEB – Dated 20021002 
Condition 

Code 

7899-7806 
No Additional MEB/PEB Entries 

Combined:  10% 

*No subsequent VARDs  
 
 
ANALYSIS  SUMMARY:    IAW  DoDI  6040.44,  the  Board’s  authority  is  limited  to  making 
recommendations on correcting disability determinations.  The Board’s role is thus confined to 
the  review  of  medical  records  and  all  evidence  at  hand  to  assess  the  fairness  of  PEB  rating 

Combined:  10% 

that 

indicated 

determinations,  compared  to  VASRD  standards,  based  on  ratable  severity  at  the  time  of 
separation; and, to review those fitness determinations within its scope (as elaborated above) 
based on MOS performance limitations in evidence at separation.  (NOTE:  The VASRD changes 
for disability codes 7806-7819, effective August 30, 2002, were applicable in this case and the 
changes  for  codes  7800-7805,  effective  October  23,  2008,  were  not  applicable.)    The  Board 
acknowledges the CI’s information regarding the significant impairment with which his service-
connected  condition  continue  to  burden  him;  but,  must  emphasize  that  the  Disability 
Evaluation  System  (DES)  has  neither  the  role  nor  the  authority  to  compensate  members  for 
anticipated  future  severity  or  potential  complications  of  conditions  resulting  in  medical 
separation.    That  role  and  authority  is  granted  by  Congress  to  the  Department  of  Veterans’ 
Affairs (DVA), operating under a different set of laws.  Post-separation evidence is probative to 
the Board’s recommendations only to the extent that it reasonably reflects the disability at the 
time of separation. 
 
Folliculitis  Decalvans  Condition.    The  CI’s  scalp  condition  appeared  following  the  CI’s  initial 
haircut  at  boot  camp.    He  developed  papulo-pustular  lesions  on  the  scalp  with  some  keloid 
formation to the neck and scalp area.  Topical therapy and systemic antibiotic therapy did not 
resolve the scalp lesions and the CI was subsequently diagnosed with FD.  He was unable to 
tolerate close haircuts or wear a helmet.  The MEB physical exam performed approximately 8 
months  prior  to  separation,  noted  scalp  lesions  described  as  “erythematous  pustules  in  a 
folliculocentric  pattern  on  his  scalp  and  several  boggy  plaques  as  well  as  plaques  of  scarred 
alopecia.    Purulent  discharge  was  easily  expressed  from  the  boggy  plaques  with  pressure.”  
Treatment  notes 
the  CI  was  not  on  systemic  corticosteroids  or 
immunosuppressive medications.  The bleeding from his scalp lesions led to duty restrictions. 
 
The  VA  Compensation  and  Pension  (C&P)  exam  performed  approximately  6  months  after 
separation indicated a similar history as the service record.  Exam demonstrated “the patient's 
hair  is  coarse  thoroughly.    Follicular  papules  are  visually  appreciated  and  palpated  over  the 
entirety of the patient's scalp.  No pustules are present today.  There are few scattered foci of 
scarring alopecia.”  The examiner indicated photographs were not obtained because the CI was 
wearing  his  hair  long  that  prevented  an  accurate  photograph  of  what  was  palpated.    The 
examiner diagnosed “Folliculitis decalvans (100% of scalp).” 
 
The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  Both 
the PEB and VA rated this condition analogously to 7806 (Dermatitis or eczema) at 10%.  The CI 
had not been on “systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs” 
and the remainders of the 7806 rating criteria are based on the area of skin involved.  The CI 
had been on systemic antibiotics, which the Board adjudged was not considered equivalent to 
systemic therapy such as “as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.”  Codes 7800 
(Disfigurement  of  the  head,  face,  or  neck)  and  7830  (Scarring  alopecia)  were  considered  for 
potential alternative coding.  The Board noted that there was apparent improvement in the CI’s 
scalp  condition  from  the  MEB  exam  to  the  VA  rating  exam.    Neither  exam  provided  specific 
equivalent square inches involved and/or specific measurements for plaques or scars.  Although 
“Folliculitis decalvans (100% of scalp)” was the VA exam diagnosis, this was interpreted to mean 
there  was  no  sparing  of  the  scalp  from  the  follicular  papules.    Papules,  by  definition  have 
normal surrounding skin that would not be counted for the affected square area and surface 
area  determinations.    There  was  some  doubt that  the  MEB  exam  may  have  approached the 
20% of exposed skin criteria for rating at 30% IAW VASRD 7806; however, the VA exam was 
adjudged as below 20% of the exposed area affected (10% rating level).  The Board consensus 
was that less than 20% of the exposed areas were affected at the time of separation.  There 
was insufficient evidence for higher rating using alternative coding under 7800 (disfigurement 
of the head, face, or neck), or under 7830 Scarring alopecia.  After due deliberation, considering 
all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the Board concluded that 

   2                                                           PD1200464 
 

there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the folliculitis 
decalvans condition. 
 
 
BOARD FINDINGS:  IAW DoDI 6040.44, provisions of DoD or Military Department regulations or 
guidelines relied upon by the PEB will not be considered by the Board to the extent they were 
inconsistent  with  the  VASRD  in  effect  at  the  time  of  the  adjudication.    The  Board  did  not 
surmise  from  the  record  or  PEB  ruling  in  this  case  that  any  prerogatives  outside  the  VASRD 
were exercised.  In the matter of the folliculitis decalvans condition and IAW VASRD §4.118, the 
Board  unanimously  recommends  no  change  in  the  PEB  adjudication.    There  were  no  other 
conditions within the Board’s scope of review for consideration. 
 
 
RECOMMENDATION:  The Board, therefore, recommends that there be no recharacterization of 
the CI’s disability and separation determination, as follows: 
 

VASRD CODE  RATING 
7899-7806 
COMBINED 

10% 
10% 

Folliculitis Decalvans 

UNFITTING CONDITION 

 
 
The following documentary evidence was considered: 
 
Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20120602, w/atchs 
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record 
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

           XXXX 
           President 
           Physical Disability Board of Review 

   3                                                           PD1200464 
 

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY COUNCIL 

                                  OF REVIEW BOARDS  
 

Subj:  PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW (PDBR) RECOMMENDATIONS 

 

 
 
 
 

     

Ref:  (a) DoDI 6040.44 
 

(b) CORB ltr dtd 7 Nov 12 

 

      In accordance with reference (a), I have reviewed the cases forwarded by reference (b), and, for 
the reasons provided in their forwarding memorandum, approve the recommendations of the PDBR 
that the following individual’s records not be corrected to reflect a change in either characterization 
of separation or in the disability rating previously assigned by the Department of the Navy’s 
Physical Evaluation Board: 
 
                  -    former USN  
-    former USN  
-    former USMC 
-    former USN   
-    former USMC 
-    former USMC 
-    former USMC 
-    former USN  

 

 
      
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

  
  Assistant General Counsel 
  (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) 

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