The Board denied extraschedular ratings for right testicle atrophy and bilateral inguinal hernia, finding that the symptoms were adequately addressed by existing schedular criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of emotional pain and mental anguish related to his service-connected conditions could not be compensated through an extraschedular rating as they did not conform with DSM-5 criteria for a mental condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's urinary symptoms were due to an enlarged prostate, which could be adequately evaluated under VA's General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Testicle Atrophy, Bilateral Inguinal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21030700
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 21030700.
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 granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia disability, effective from the date of the appeal. The maximum schedular rating under DC 7338 is assigned.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for anxiety disorder and bilateral inguinal hernia are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions throughout the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with the appellant's request to substitute as a claimant. The AOJ must address these issues, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and addressing the February 2014 VA examiner's qualifications.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, a temporary total rating for convalescence based on bilateral inguinal hernia surgery, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.