The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected ventral hernia residuals is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected ventral hernia residuals. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current major depressive disorder was caused by the severity of his service-connected ventral hernia residuals.
- Claimed conditions
- status post incarcerated rectus sheath hernia repair (ventral hernia residuals)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1716792
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 1716792.
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 appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected ventral hernia residuals was denied, and the claim for secondary service connection for major depressive disorder was also denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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