The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left inguinal hernia and an increased evaluation for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a left inguinal hernia in service, and the current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.
The deciding factor: The veteran's complaints did not include persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain that is productive of considerable impairment of health.
- Claimed conditions
- left inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (gastrointestinal disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 28, 2004
- Citation
- 0417006
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0417006.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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