The Board is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current abdominal disability, including an abdominal hernia and/or diastasis recti, is related to his service. The RO will also provide notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.
The deciding factor: The examiner must provide opinions on whether the Veteran's current abdominal disabilities are at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) related to his service, including heavy lifting duties.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal hernia, diastasis recti
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0942046
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 0942046.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hypertension has been granted, with a 10% disability rating. The issue of service connection for abdominal hernias is remanded due to the AOJ's failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for diastasis recti and hernia, finding that these conditions did not have their onset during service and are not causally related to any disease or injury incurred in service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diastasis recti and pelvic floor weakness with urinary incontinence, but remanded the claims for increased ratings and additional service connection.
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