The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for her service-connected postoperative umbilical hernia, finding that the evidence did not show a need for a supporting belt.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not indicate the presence of weakening of the abdominal wall and a need for a supporting belt.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative umbilical hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183816
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19183816.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for postoperative umbilical hernia, prior to December 10, 2020, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding neurological manifestations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for her postoperative umbilical hernia is remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sleep apnea and umbilical hernia were denied, while the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened but not granted. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent since December 14, 2002, due to use of a CPAP machine. His postoperative umbilical hernia remains noncompensable as it does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative umbilical hernia does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it is asymptomatic and healed with no disability or need for support.
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