The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an abdominal wall hernia, and for increased evaluations of her rectal and vaginal disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The medical records did not show any complaints or treatment related to the claimed conditions during service, and current disability was not shown.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal wall hernia, rectal disability, vaginal disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2003
- Citation
- 0319608
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 0319608.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a rectal disability, finding that it began during active duty service and is etiologically related to anal fissures he experienced in service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rectal disability, and skin disability have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for vaginal disability has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for headaches. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for a sinus condition is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with the opinion suggesting that the Veteran's current mental health disability may be related to service-connected PTSD.,The relationship between TMJ and PTSD is unclear; further examination is needed to determine if TMJ is secondary to PTSD.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100 percent rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs status post right lower lobe lobectomy, and has remanded to determine service connection for residuals of lung cancer.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.