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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21000261.
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: Granted
The Board has restored service connection for ventral hernia and hernia repair scar, effective from September 1, 2020 to May 20, 2024.
- Whole decision: 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The appeal for a higher rating for ventral hernia has been withdrawn and dismissed.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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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