The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her ventral hernia was denied, and the effective date of her 20% disability rating was set at June 15, 2018.,The Board has determined that the issue of an earlier effective date for the 20% disability rating is currently pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and the determination of her effective date were both based on the receipt of her intent to file a claim for increased compensation.
- Claimed conditions
- Ventral Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19191424
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 19191424.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a 70% disability rating, effective April 16, 2008. The Veteran's ventral hernia remains at a noncompensable (0%) disability rating.
- Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his ventral hernia, finding that the disability is not well supported by a belt under ordinary conditions.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ventral hernia does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, as it is not manifested by massive, persistent, severe diastasis of recti muscles or extensive diffuse destruction or weakening of muscular and fascial support of abdominal wall so as to be inoperable.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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