The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for his service-connected musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine with multilevel degenerative arthritis, right inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar, and left inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the periods in question.,The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine with multilevel degenerative arthritis was rated as 10 percent disabling from February 1, 2008 to June 9, 2009 and as 40 percent disabling from June 9, 2009 to March 1, 2010. The Veteran's right inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar was rated as noncompensable prior to June 12, 2009 and over 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar was rated as noncompensable prior to June 12, 2009 and over 10 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the periods in question.
- Claimed conditions
- Musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine with multilevel degenerative arthritis, Right inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar, Left inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2015
- Citation
- 1533540
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 1533540.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine with multilevel degenerative arthritis was evaluated at a 10 percent rating from August 1, 2010 to December 14, 2015.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right inguinal hernias have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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.