The Board has granted service connection for diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) and an umbilical hernia, as secondary to DRA. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent testimony regarding his symptoms and the VA examiner's opinion that a DRA can lead to the development of an umbilical hernia.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) was incurred in service due to physical training, and as it is now service-connected, his umbilical hernia is considered secondary to this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA), umbilical hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20038775
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 20038775.
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 claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the left upper extremity (minor).
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no current evidence of the claimed conditions, or they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an umbilical hernia, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his military service and the condition.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, deviated septum, left shoulder condition, umbilical hernia, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
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