The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The nonunion of the sternotomy incision was granted with a 20% disability rating, effective June 4, 1998. The incisional hernia claim was denied. The veteran's request for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for gout, atrophied right kidney with cyst, eye disorder, scars of the legs and chest, and impotence was also denied.
The deciding factor: The RO found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for increased evaluations or effective dates under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Claimed conditions
- Nonunion of sternotomy incision, Incisional hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2001
- Citation
- 0119060
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0119060.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the development previously ordered by the June 2018 remand is still necessary to adjudicate the appeals. As such, this case is being returned for further action.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate is granted as of March 21, 2013. SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also granted as of April 15, 2015.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for restoration of a 20 percent rating for an incisional hernia is dismissed. The earlier effective date claim for SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as it does not meet the criteria.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's incisional hernia is not considered to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that the hernia resulted from any event not reasonably foreseeable.
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