The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his laparotomy for lysis of adhesions was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. The claim for a compensable rating for his surgical scar status post laparotomy was denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s abdominal wall muscles are weakened due to the ventral hernia, necessitating the use of an elastic corset. This meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7339, which specifically contemplates postoperative ventral hernia.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal symptoms, ventral hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2020
- Citation
- A20009207
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 A20009207.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his back and associated radiculopathy disabilities, which require assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to compensable ratings for the service-connected spine and hernia disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA standards.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus and ventral hernia were granted service connection effective October 1, 2022.
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