The Veteran's service-connected ventral hernia is rated as noncompensable prior to January 14, 2020 and as 20 percent from that date. The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for the period after January 14, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hernia is post-operative with weakening of the abdominal wall, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings as it is not large and not well-supported by a belt under ordinary conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Ventral Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21000261
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 21000261.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has restored service connection for ventral hernia and hernia repair scar, effective from September 1, 2020 to May 20, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a higher rating for ventral hernia has been withdrawn and dismissed. The appeals for service connection of heart condition, including atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and aortic regurgitation, and high blood pressure have been remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's ventral hernia is service-connected as it likely began during basic training and was not caused by any in-service injury, event, or illness.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent initial rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain and a compensable rating for ventral hernia, and denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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