The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for left foot toenail disease was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence of a current disability or link it to service, including exposure to 'filthy' water.
- Claimed conditions
- Status-post enterectomy with a duodenal ulcer and hiatal hernia, Postoperative left inguinal hernia, Left foot toenail disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0916580
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 0916580.
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: Denied
The veteran's April 2002 surgery for a postoperative left inguinal hernia did not result in at least one month of convalescence or severe post-operative residuals, and he was not service connected for the condition. Therefore, a temporary total evaluation is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ilio-inguinal nerve and inguinal hernia disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings are therefore denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the pelvis or left pubic bone with degenerative changes and for a compensable rating for postoperative left inguinal hernia, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative left inguinal hernia does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7338, as there is no evidence of recurrence or new symptoms warranting such an increase. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the veteran's condition.
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