The veteran's claim for service connection for peri-umbilical/ventral hernia, status post repair with keloid scar was denied as there is no evidence that the pre-service condition was aggravated by service or that it advanced beyond its natural progression while in service. The veteran's claim for bilateral heel spurs was not addressed due to a procedural issue.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the ventral hernia removed in 2000 was acquired later in life and is not as likely as not the same hernia he had on entering service, thus denying service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- peri-umbilical/ventral hernia, bilateral heel spurs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 31, 2006
- Citation
- 0622833
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 0622833.
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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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for new and material evidence to reopen service connection for left leg and right leg shin splints, as well as other issues including sinusitis, ankle sprain, heel spurs, chronic fatigue syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy in various extremities.
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