The Board has determined that the March 1976 rating decision denying service connection for an inguinal hernia was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as there is evidence showing a left inguinal hernia existed at separation from active duty.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed a pre-existing left inguinal hernia at separation, but the Board found that it may have been aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Inguinal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2010
- Citation
- 1036539
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 1036539.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's inguinal hernia with status postrepair, residuals, and recurrence was rated at 60 percent since October 25, 2018. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the new Diagnostic Code 7338.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for a separate rating of 10% for painful inguinal hernia scars, but the Board denied this request as it is not factually ascertainable that the scars were painful prior to November 19, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues include right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder (also claimed as left Achilles), lumbar spine disorder, inguinal hernia, bilateral lower radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder.
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