The Veteran's inguinal hernia with status postrepair, residuals, and recurrence was rated at 60 percent since October 25, 2018. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the new Diagnostic Code 7338.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's inguinal hernia did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to its size and pain, which were within normal limits according to the old and new rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Inguinal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2026
- Citation
- 26002477
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 26002477.
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 denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for a separate rating of 10% for painful inguinal hernia scars, but the Board denied this request as it is not factually ascertainable that the scars were painful prior to November 19, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues include right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder (also claimed as left Achilles), lumbar spine disorder, inguinal hernia, bilateral lower radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and an inguinal hernia. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.
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.