The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, left inguinal hernia, and service-connected neck scar. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss before April 21, 2004 is granted with an evaluation of zero percent. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids remains pending as new and material evidence has not been received. The claims for service connection for varicocelectomy scar are granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran did not have a history of left inguinal hernia repair, and thus denied his claim for service connection for this condition. The residuals of left fourth toe amputation were evaluated as noncompensable due to mild pain on standing and occasional severe pain on walking. The left leg hernia was also found to be noncompensable based on the slight disability picture with no more than pain lasting 40 minutes three times a week. The neck scar was rated zero percent as there was only subjective complaints of sensitivity and objective evidence of a minor disability picture, a small scar, and no limitation of function. The left ear hearing loss before April 21, 2004 was found to be Level II in the left ear and Level III in the right ear, both rated zero percent. The service-connected varicocelectomy scar was also rated zero percent.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a head injury, left inguinal hernia, service-connected residuals of left fourth toe amputation, service-connected left leg hernia, service-connected neck scar, service-connected left ear hearing loss before April 21, 2004, service-connected hemorrhoids, service-connected varicocelectomy scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2008
- Citation
- 0819046
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 0819046.
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 Veteran's low back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease, bilateral shin splints (tingling of the bilateral lower extremities), tinea versicolor, migraines, and left shoulder disability are all found to have onset during his period of service from July 1996 to July 2008. As a result, these conditions are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is not considered due to lack of current diagnosis or functional impairment.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of residuals of a head injury. The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus was granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating both the hernia and scar conditions, and thus remands these issues to obtain a new examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left inguinal hernia scars are currently rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has granted a 20 percent rating for painful scars under Diagnostic Code 7804. The decision also notes that there is no evidence of instability or additional pain contributing to an even higher rating.
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