The Board has denied the veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected genitourinary disability, finding that a noncompensable rating is warranted prior to January 22, 2003, and a 30 percent rating is warranted from that date.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the veteran had his left testicle removed due to epididymitis during service. Afterward, he underwent surgery in January 2003 for a right inguinal hernia, which resulted in atrophy of his right testicle and low testosterone levels. The note following Diagnostic Code 7524 allowed for a 30 percent rating under the circumstances.
- Claimed conditions
- epididymitis, left testicle removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2007
- Citation
- 0700775
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 0700775.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's epididymitis was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left testicle removal and depression secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with the latter being linked to his service-connected status post hernia repair scar.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected epididymitis, status post right hemiscrotal exploration, is granted as of June 21, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC(k) based on loss of use of creative organ is granted effective June 1, 2016. The claim for additional SMC(k) benefits is denied as the Veteran is already in receipt of SMC(k).
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