The Board found that the Veteran's left hydrocele and left inguinal hernia were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence showed no increase in disability of the left hydrocele during service, and there was no medical opinion linking the left inguinal hernia to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Hydrocele, Left Inguinal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0918729
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 0918729.
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 service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of May 1, 2018.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's ear infections are not service-connected, but a 10 percent rating is granted for the left inguinal hernia prior to August 14, 2019. From that date, no compensable rating is assigned.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral wrist disorder, and other service-connected conditions have been granted initial disability ratings. The TDIU claim for the period prior to February 23, 2018, has also been granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left hydrocele, also claimed as hernia and painful lump in testicles, is remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.