The Board found that the veteran's umbilical hernia with subsequent ventral hernia was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The issues of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as chronic bilateral foot fungus are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's umbilical hernia with subsequent ventral hernia is related to his service-connected post-operative residuals, right inguinal hernia.
- Claimed conditions
- umbilical hernia with subsequent ventral hernia, hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic bilateral foot fungus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2008
- Citation
- 0844053
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 0844053.
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: Dismissed
The veteran has withdrawn all pending appeals, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to review them.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% since April 20, 2012. The costochondritis is rated at 10% from April 20, 2012 through January 17, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. The hiatal hernia and GERD are not entitled to an initial compensable rating. The residuals of right 5th metacarpal fracture and left knee chondromalacia patella do not warrant a higher than 10% rating. The traumatic brain injury with cognitive impairment is rated at 70% since April 20, 2012.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral foot fungus and a skin condition are denied. The low back disability and peripheral numbness of the lower extremities are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's urticaria and hiatal hernia with GERD are both rated at 30 percent, while the rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent. The case of hemorrhoids is remanded.
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