The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial disability rating for his left inguinal hernia, repaired with scar. For PTSD prior to April 28, 2016, the Veteran meets the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating. From April 28, 2016, he does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's left inguinal hernia has been manifested by mild tenderness over the inguinal area and a residual surgical scar encompassing an area of less than 1 square centimeter. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Claimed conditions
- Erectile Dysfunction, Left Inguinal Hernia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2018
- Citation
- 1800163
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 1800163.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
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