{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hernia-ventral-postoperative","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:57.445Z","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 ventral postoperative","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":725,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":15.3,"denied_pct":40.1,"remanded_pct":42.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":27.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":50,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":38,"remanded_pct":48},{"year":2018,"issues":106,"granted_pct":11.3,"denied_pct":39.6,"remanded_pct":38.7},{"year":2019,"issues":87,"granted_pct":9.2,"denied_pct":40.2,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2020,"issues":87,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":41.4,"remanded_pct":40.2},{"year":2021,"issues":73,"granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":37,"remanded_pct":42.5},{"year":2022,"issues":78,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":46.2},{"year":2023,"issues":83,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2024,"issues":80,"granted_pct":17.5,"denied_pct":42.5,"remanded_pct":38.8},{"year":2025,"issues":73,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":42.5,"remanded_pct":38.4},{"year":2026,"issues":27,"granted_pct":14.8,"denied_pct":55.6,"remanded_pct":18.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":64.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":89,"granted_pct_with":40.3,"granted_pct_without":24.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":523,"granted_pct_with":25.7,"granted_pct_without":38.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":90,"granted_pct_with":48.4,"granted_pct_without":23.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":317,"granted_pct_with":28.4,"granted_pct_without":26.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":190,"granted_pct_with":40.2,"granted_pct_without":22.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":596,"granted_pct_with":27,"granted_pct_without":32}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":31},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":22},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":16},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":16},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":13},{"reason":"no indication for supporting belt","decisions":13}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038823","year":2026,"judge":"H.M. WALKER","rationale":"Grant of service connection based on benefit of the doubt; Related to service; Supported by medical literature on weightlifting and hernia development"},{"case_id":"A26032148","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Grant based on presumption of aggravation; Benefit of the doubt resolved in veteran's favor; Incomplete service treatment records heightened Board's obligation"},{"case_id":"A26025546","year":2026,"judge":"DONNIE R. HACHEY","rationale":"Hernia rated under DC 7339; Prior criteria more favorable as hernia was large but not massive; 40 percent rating warranted for large hernia not well supported by belt"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26004651","year":2026,"judge":"MARTIN B. PETERS","rationale":"No hernia noted on enlistment examination; Lay reporting of childhood hernia insufficient to overcome presumption of soundness; VA treatment records show hernia diagnosed over four years after service; VA examiner opined hernia not service-related, due to increased intra-abdominal pressure"},{"case_id":"A26034379","year":2026,"judge":"LEETRA J. HARRIS","rationale":"No evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation; Service treatment records silent regarding hernia; Separation examination normal; No competent medical opinion linking hernia to service"},{"case_id":"A26028438","year":2026,"judge":"M. M. CELLI","rationale":"Healed hernia repair; No recurrence or muscle weakening; No indication for supporting belt"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}