The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for inguinal and ventral hernias, finding that there is no evidence linking his current hernias to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's hernias were related to his military service due to lack of consistent symptoms throughout his records and absence of a medical diagnosis during service.
- Claimed conditions
- inguinal hernia, ventral hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23066530
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 23066530.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- 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 service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, residuals of kidney cancer, bilateral flat feet, and bilateral knee conditions. The appeals are now pending again due to the need for additional examinations.
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