The Board remands the claims for service connection for a ventral hernia and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for a service-connected or other disability subject to compensation, as additional evidence requires further development.
The deciding factor: The October 2018 VA medical opinion is inadequate because it does not address aggravation of the ventral hernia by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Additionally, a PACT Act compliant examination and opinion are needed due to the Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during service.
- Claimed conditions
- ventral hernia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24000117
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining outstanding private medical records.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for hernia, other than hiatal, specifically ventral, inguinal, and umbilical hernias, finding that the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing these hernias.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including radical cystectomy residuals with colonic pouch, ventral hernia, hypertension, and others, as the evidence did not corroborate the Veteran's reported exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos during service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for ventral hernia and umbilical hernia based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service.
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.