The Veteran's left inguinal hernia repair scar is not entitled to a compensable rating, but he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful scars. The PTSD with TBI remains at the current 50% and 70% ratings respectively.,Service connection claims for cardiac arrhythmia and GERD are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support finding that the Veteran's left inguinal hernia repair scar covers an area of 144 square inches or greater, thus no compensable rating is warranted. The pain and numbness in the scar area meet the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7805-7804.,The evidence does not support finding that the PTSD with TBI has caused total occupational and social impairment prior to May 11, 2021. The Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a 50% rating. For the period from May 11, 2021 onwards, the evidence does not support finding that the PTSD with TBI has caused total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- left inguinal hernia repair scar, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26013383
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 A26013383.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's scars are rated as noncompensable, but a 10 percent rating is granted for painful left inguinal hernia scar.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 1, 2021, for service connection for migraine headaches and seizure disorder but denied the same for PTSD with TBI.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, PTSD with TBI, chronic lumbar sprain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and scars.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back condition, cervical spine degenerative changes, and PTSD with TBI, but granted a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic headaches. The Board also remanded service connection for a bilateral foot condition.
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