{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hernia-inguinal","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:56.098Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Hernia inguinal","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2365,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":42.8,"remanded_pct":45.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":20.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":160,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":44.4,"remanded_pct":42.5},{"year":2018,"issues":288,"granted_pct":7.3,"denied_pct":47.2,"remanded_pct":42.4},{"year":2019,"issues":336,"granted_pct":11.3,"denied_pct":42.9,"remanded_pct":44},{"year":2020,"issues":284,"granted_pct":10.9,"denied_pct":42.3,"remanded_pct":45.4},{"year":2021,"issues":235,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":43,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2022,"issues":275,"granted_pct":13.1,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":52.7},{"year":2023,"issues":297,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":35.7,"remanded_pct":50.2},{"year":2024,"issues":305,"granted_pct":10.2,"denied_pct":43,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2025,"issues":227,"granted_pct":12.3,"denied_pct":48.9,"remanded_pct":38.3},{"year":2026,"issues":91,"granted_pct":15.4,"denied_pct":52.7,"remanded_pct":31.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":236,"granted_pct_with":40.2,"granted_pct_without":17.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1669,"granted_pct_with":18.4,"granted_pct_without":30.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":242,"granted_pct_with":43.8,"granted_pct_without":16.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":987,"granted_pct_with":18.1,"granted_pct_without":22.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":600,"granted_pct_with":28.9,"granted_pct_without":17.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":100,"granted_pct_with":43.9,"granted_pct_without":19.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1905,"granted_pct_with":20.7,"granted_pct_without":19.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":64,"granted_pct_with":32.3,"granted_pct_without":20.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":83,"granted_pct_with":22,"granted_pct_without":20.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":25},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":4},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":4},{"reason":"competent and credible testimony","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":97},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":71},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":68},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":55},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":48},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":34}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26004933","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"In-service diagnosis of inguinal hernia; Military surgical intervention for hernia; Line of duty determination indicated hernia caused by military fitness program; Evidence in equipoise; doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26037067","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Evidence in approximate balance warranted resolving doubt in veteran's favor.; Recurrent hernia confirmed by imaging.; Persistent pain and functional limitations documented."},{"case_id":"26004520","year":2026,"judge":"LAURA E. COLLINS","rationale":"Positive November 2025 VA opinion finding nexus; In-service complaints of pain and diagnosis of hernia; In-service repair noted"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040554","year":2026,"judge":"DELYVONNE M. WHITEHEAD","rationale":"Weight of evidence against finding of testicular hernia; No diagnosis of testicular hernia in service treatment or VA records; Epididymitis residuals already service-connected"},{"case_id":"A26040160","year":2026,"judge":"A. P. SIMPSON","rationale":"Examinations found no hernia detected; Veteran's reported symptoms not objectively supported; Evidence weighs against recurrent hernia"},{"case_id":"A26038380","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"VA examination found no hernias and no need for a supporting belt.; Veteran's reports of pain alone do not warrant a compensable evaluation.; 38 C.F.R. § 4.59 is inapplicable as hernia does not impact a joint."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}