You have a knot on your stomach that seems to disappear when you lie down. It’s sensitive to the touch and hurts when you move a certain way or cough. You may have a hernia. If the hernia is related to your military service or another service-connected condition, you may be eligible for a hernia VA rating.
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In this article about the hernia VA rating:
What is a hernia?
A hernia develops when an organ or tissue breaks through a weak spot in your abdominal wall. It creates a bulge you may be able to see through your skin. The bulge also may cause pressure or pain in the area where it’s located.
You can be born with this abdominal weak spot that allows a hernia to develop, or it may occur over time as your tissue breaks down, through things like extreme physical activity or strain from constipation, heavy coughing, or obesity. Many veterans who worked military jobs that involved heavy lifting or intense exercise run the risk of developing a hernia.
The type of hernia you have depends on where in the abdomen it’s located. Most hernias develop between the abdomen and groin in an area called “the internal ring.” These are called inguinal hernias.
Other types of hernias include:
- Epigastric hernia – in the upper abdomen
- Femoral hernia – just below the groin
- Hiatal hernia – when the upper part of the stomach bulges into the chest cavity
- Incisional hernia – where a previous surgical incision exists
- Umbilical hernia – in the navel
A hernia won’t heal on its own and requires surgery to repair, if possible. If you don’t have your hernia treated, it can worsen over time and with physical activity. However, some hernias can’t be repaired, usually because of their size or location. These are called irreparable hernias.
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Hernia VA rating
The VA rates all hernias, except hiatal hernias, using diagnostic code 7338 in the Schedule of Ratings. The ratings are for irreparable hernias and depend on how long you’ve had the hernia, its size, and the severity of symptoms it causes. The ratings are as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more. Size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension. Pain when performing at least three of the following activities: (1) bending over, (2) activities of daily living (ADLs), (3) walking, and (4) climbing stairs | 100% | $3,737.85 |
| Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more. Size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension. Pain when performing two of the following activities: (1) bending over, (2) activities of daily living (ADLs), (3) walking, and (4) climbing stairs | 60% | $1,3161.88 |
| Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more. Size equal to 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension. Pain when performing at least two of the following activities: (1) bending over, (2) activities of daily living (ADLs), (3) walking, and (4) climbing stairs | 30% | $524.31 |
| Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more. Size equal to 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension. Pain when performing one of the following activities: (1) bending over, (2) activities of daily living (ADLs), (3) walking, and (4) climbing stairs. | 20% | $338.49 |
| Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with hernia size smaller than 3 cm. | 10% | $171.23 |
| Asymptomatic hernia; present and repairable, or repaired | 0% | None |
If you have two inguinal hernias, the VA evaluates the more severely disabling hernia first, then adds 10% to that rating for the second one. However, the VA will not add to the rating for the second hernia if the first one is rated at 100%.
The VA considers activities of daily living to be “bathing, dressing, hygiene, and/or transfers.” Transfers refer to getting in and out of bed or a wheelchair.
Hiatal hernia VA rating
The VA rates hiatal hernias using diagnostic code 7346 in the Schedule of Ratings, which mirrors diagnostic code 7203 for stricture of the esophagus. The ratings depend on symptoms, including dysphagia, which is how difficult it is to swallow, and the necessary treatment. The ratings are as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a) and treatment with either surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube) | 80% | $1,995.01 |
| Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement | 50% | $1,075.16 |
| Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year | 30% | $524.31 |
| Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic | 10% | $171.23 |
| Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications | 0% | None |
Hernias and related conditions
Hernias may develop as a result of another service-connected disability, or they may lead to another medical condition. Either way, you may be able to claim a secondary condition, which means you could be eligible for additional VA disability compensation.
Hernias and obesity
Obesity alone doesn’t qualify for VA disability, but veterans can receive a rating based on the effects of obesity, like the development of hernias.
VA disability rating for GERD with hiatal hernia
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive condition that occurs when acid or stomach bile rises into the esophagus. A large hiatal hernia can result in the development of GERD. This is because a large hiatal hernia can let undigested food and stomach acid rise into your esophagus.
The VA disability rating for GERD is 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, or 80%, depending on the frequency and severity of symptoms.
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TDIU for hernias
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected conditions.
Some hernias cause severe pain, making it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or perform other daily tasks. Understandably, this pain can also make it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to work. If you were diagnosed with a service-connected hernia that affects your ability to maintain a job, you may be eligible for TDIU.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- One service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How Woods and Woods can help
If you have service-connected conditions that affect your ability to live and work, you deserve your full VA disability compensation. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, you can receive a hernia VA rating if you can prove that the hernia developed or worsened due to military service or another service-related condition. The rating depends on the type of hernia you have, its size, and the severity of its symptoms.
The hiatal hernia VA rating is 80%, 50%, 30%, 10%, or 0%. The rating depends on symptoms, including dysphagia, which is how difficult it is to swallow, and the necessary treatment.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
