The Board denied service connection for a left inguinal hernia repair and found that the Veteran's low back disability was not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to July 17, 2007, but warranted a 40 percent rating from March 14, 1995, with no higher rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's left inguinal hernia was aggravated by service or that his low back disability warranted an increased rating beyond the assigned levels.
- Claimed conditions
- left inguinal hernia repair, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0909720
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,738 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0909720.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
For the period prior to October 29, 2021, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status is denied.,For the entire appeal period, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's pain in his back after carrying a rucksack during service is related to his current condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with some issues being remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left ankle sprain but denied service connection for left inguinal hernia repair, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, lateral & medial epicondylitis of right elbow, and seborrheic dermatitis.
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