Getting the Maximum Hernia VA Disability Rating

If you are a veteran living with a hernia, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. Hernias are common among service members and veterans due to the physically demanding nature of their military duties. This stress can weaken or tear the abdominal wall, making it easier for internal tissue or organs to push through.   

Types of Hernias 

Most hernias involve the abdominal cavity, which holds organs like your stomach, intestines, and liver. Understanding which type of hernia you have is the first step in getting the correct VA rating and benefits. Veterans can be affected by:  

• Inguinal hernia – This is the most common  type and occurs more frequently in men, especially among those who carried heavy gear or performed repetitive lifting. It usually occurs in the groin area when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall. 
• Femoral hernia – More common in women, this hernia develops just below the groin in the femoral cavity and may result from strain during physical training or childbirth, especially if service duties continued shortly after. 
• Umbilical hernia – Appears near the belly button. These can develop during or after military service from increased pressure due to core muscle strain, improper lifting, or pregnancy. 
• Ventral hernia – Forms along the midline of the abdomen and can be caused by muscle weakening from injury, illness, or physical exertion common in training or combat scenarios. 
• Incisional hernia – This happens when the abdominal wall weakens around a surgical scar, often following a prior operation performed while on active duty or at a VA facility. 
• Hiatal hernia – Different from the others, this occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes through the diaphragm into your chest cavity. It’s often tied to chronic straining, internal pressure, or long-term acid reflux—conditions that may be worsened by stress or physical activity during service.  

These hernias don’t just cause discomfort, they can affect your ability to work, sleep, eat, and carry out everyday tasks. They may also lead to serious complications if untreated, such as strangulation of the intestines, bowel obstructions, or long-term digestive issues. Because of this, the VA provides disability ratings based on the type of hernia, its severity, and how it impacts your health. 

How the VA Rates Hernias

The VA uses two primary diagnostic codes to evaluate hernias for disability compensation. These codes are part of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) and determine your monthly benefit amount based on the severity of your condition. 

For hiatal hernia, the VA uses Diagnostic Code 7346 (see the ratings here), due to its impact on the digestive system, swallowing, and nutritional health. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, and incisional hernias are rated under Diagnostic Code 7338, with a focus on the physical state of the hernia and how it responds to treatment or surgical repair. The VA will consider things like whether the hernia can be pushed back in (reducible), whether you need a supportive device like a truss or belt, and how well your condition holds up under daily physical activity. 

If your hernia required surgery, especially if it was a major repair like mesh implantation or you had to stay off your feet during recovery, the VA may assign a temporary 100% disability rating. This gives you full benefits while you recover. 

You’ll need medical records showing the date of surgery, the length of your recovery period and documentation from your doctor about activity limitations (e.g., lifting restrictions, bed rest). Once that recovery period ends, the VA will reassess your condition and assign a permanent rating based on any residual symptoms or complications. 

What Is the VA Disability Rating for Hernia? 

Hernia (other than hiatal) is assigned a VA disability rating from 0% to 100% based on how large it is, how long it’s been present, and how much it interferes with the ability to function. Hiatal hernias are rated from 0% to 80% using the criteria for stricture of esophagus. 

The rating criteria for inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, and incisional hernias under Diagnostic Code 7338 are:  

• 100% – Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more: 1.  Size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension; and 2. pain when performing at least three of the following activities:  bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, and climbing stairs. 
• 60% – Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more: 1. Size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension; and 2. pain when performing two of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, and climbing stairs. 
• 30% – Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more: 1. Size equal to 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension; and 2. pain when performing at least two of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, and climbing stairs. 
• 20% – Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with both of the following present for 12 months or more: 1. Size equal to 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension; and 2. pain when performing one of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, and climbing stairs. 
• 10% – Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with hernia size smaller than 3 cm. 
• 0% – Asymptomatic hernia; present and repairable, or repaired. 

See the VA disability rating criteria for hiatal hernia 

The worse your condition is, especially if it’s not correctable with surgery or causes serious day-to-day limitations, the higher your disability rating will be. 

If your hernia is asymptomatic, and either repairable or has already been repaired successfully, the VA will assign a 0% rating. This means the condition is acknowledged as service-connected, but it currently does not affect your health enough to qualify for monthly compensation. Even with a 0% rating, you may still qualify for VA health care or future rating increases if your condition worsens over time. 

How to Service Connect Hernias 

Before the VA assigns a disability rating for your hernia, you must first prove it’s connected to your military service. This process is called establishing a “service connection.” Without it, the VA will deny your claim regardless of how severe your condition is.  

Direct Service Connection 

You must show that your hernia started during your military service or resulted from an event, injury, or strain that occurred while you were on active duty. To prove a direct service connection, you’ll need to show three things:   

• A current diagnosis of a hernia 
• An in-service event, injury, or exposure that could have caused or contributed to it 
• A medical nexus—this is a doctor’s opinion stating that your hernia is “at least as likely as not” related to your military service

Veterans often develop hernias because of the physical demands of military life. Some of the most common causes that can support a direct service connection include: 

• Heavy lifting during duty assignments or training 
• Injuries during physical fitness tests or combat 
• Carrying or wearing heavy gear or body armor 
• Jumping out of vehicles, running drills, or sudden impacts 
• Trauma from IED blasts or blunt force impacts

For example, if you were repeatedly lifting ammunition boxes or moving equipment during deployment and later developed an abdominal hernia, that’s a potential  basis for a direct service connection. 

Keep in mind: you do not need to have been hospitalized during service for the VA to consider your injury. Even if it wasn’t documented at the time, buddy statements, after-action reports, or personal statements can help support your claim. This is especially true if you didn’t seek treatment right away due to mission requirements or fear of being sidelined. 

Secondary Service Connection 

Sometimes, a hernia develops over time due to underlying health conditions, many of which are common among veterans. Even if you weren’t diagnosed with a hernia while on active duty, your other service-connected conditions may have created the perfect storm that led to it. 

The VA allows veterans to claim a hernia as secondary to other conditions, but you’ll need to show how one condition led to another. That means proving your hernia was either caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability. This is known as a secondary service connection and it requires: 

• Medical evidence of a primary service-connected condition 
• A diagnosis of a hernia 
• A medical opinion linking the two conditions showing the hernia was either caused or aggravated by the primary service-connected condition 

For example, if you’re already service-connected for chronic bronchitis or COPD, and the constant coughing from that condition caused your hernia, you may be eligible for benefits for the hernia as well. 

Conditions That Can Contribute to Hernia 

• Lower back conditions – Chronic lower back pain, disc disease, or lumbar strain can weaken your abdominal core. When the muscles in your back and abdomen are under constant stress, they don’t hold up well to lifting, bending, or twisting. This can lead to abdominal wall breakdown and hernia formation. 
• Core muscle injuries – If you’ve had torn abdominal muscles, side strains, or any service-connected injury to the core, the structural integrity of your abdomen may be compromised. That makes it easier for tissue or organs to push through resulting in a hernia. 
• Spinal injuries – Herniated discs, vertebral fractures, or spinal arthritis can make proper lifting techniques difficult or impossible. Veterans with these issues often compensate by putting strain on the abdomen, which may eventually result in a hernia. 
• Peripheral neuropathy – If you have nerve damage in your arms or legs, you may unknowingly use the wrong muscle groups when moving or lifting. This uneven pressure can increase the risk of abdominal hernias, especially when paired with weak muscles or improper balance. 
• Spinal cord injuries – More severe than general back issues, spinal cord damage can reduce abdominal control altogether. Veterans may find they can’t stabilize their core, making hernias much more likely during movement or physical effort. 
• Previous service-connected surgeries – If you had surgery for a service-connected condition and later developed a hernia at the incision site, this is called an incisional hernia. These are common after abdominal operations especially if scar tissue thinned the wall or healing was impaired by infection or physical strain. 
• COPD/Emphysema – Constant coughing from lung disease creates sustained internal pressure on your abdominal wall. Over time, this repetitive strain can push tissue through weak spots, especially near the groin or belly button. 
• Chronic bronchitis – Just like COPD, persistent coughing from chronic bronchitis can slowly weaken the abdominal muscles, particularly in the lower abdomen, making it easier for a hernia to form.  

If you have any of these service-connected conditions and later developed a hernia, it may not be a coincidence. It might be a chain reaction the VA should recognize. Make sure to include medical records, surgical histories, and doctor’s statements that clearly show how one condition led to another. That evidence could unlock higher monthly benefits and ensure your full range of service-connected health issues are recognized. 

The VA Process for Getting a Hernia Rating 

Getting a hernia service-connected and properly rated by the VA is a step-by-step process, and each stage can affect the final outcome of your claim. Whether you’re filing for the first time or appealing a low rating, it’s important to understand what the VA looks for and how to give them what they need. 

File Your Hernia Claim 

The first step is submitting a disability compensation claim, usually done through VA Form 21-526EZ. You can file this online through VA.gov, by mail, or in person at your nearest VA regional office. 

For a hernia claim, make sure your application includes:  

• Medical records confirming a current medical diagnosis of the hernia 
• Service treatment records or incident reports showing an injury, trauma, or physical activity during service that could have led to the hernia 
• A nexus letter from a doctor, if possible, stating that your hernia is “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by military service or a service-connected condition

Be specific. Don’t just say, “I got a hernia during training.” Instead, describe what you were doing, what happened, and how it affected you. The VA is more likely to approve claims when you provide clear, detailed evidence that connects the dots. 

In both direct and secondary service connection claims, the stronger your documentation, the better your chances. This means detailed medical records, C&P exams, nexus letters from your doctors, and any personal or lay evidence that can help paint a full picture. 

Prepare for a C&P Exam 

After filing, the VA may schedule you for a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. This is not the same as a normal medical check-up, it’s an evaluation used to decide whether your hernia is service-connected and how severe it is. During the exam, the VA provider will: 

• Ask about the history and symptoms of your hernia 
• Measure the size and location of the hernia 
• Examine whether it’s reducible (can be pushed back in), supported by a truss or belt, or irreparable 
• Determine how it affects your daily activities, like walking, bending, or climbing stairs  

What you say during this exam matters a lot. Be honest but also be clear about how the hernia limits your function, causes pain, or impacts your ability to work and live independently. 

The provider will write a medical opinion (DBQ) that goes into your claim file. This can directly influence your rating. 

Be Ready to Appeal 

If the VA denies your hernia claim or gives you a rating that doesn’t reflect your symptoms, don’t give up. You have several ways to contest the VA decision. You can: 

• Request a Higher-Level Review – where a senior reviewer re-examines the claim 
• File a Supplemental Claim – which lets you add new and relevant evidence 
• Appeal directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals  

Before filing an appeal, review your decision letter carefully. Look for any missing evidence, misunderstood facts, or medical opinions that contradict your personal experience. In many cases, a stronger medical nexus letter or updated exam can be enough to change the outcome. 

The key is making sure your claim is supported with facts, medical documentation, and consistent testimony and knowing how to appeal if the VA gets it wrong. You can also choose to have a VA attorney fight on your behalf to help you win the highest disability rating you’re entitled to. We recommend getting a free evaluation of your case here. 

VA Compensation for Hernia – Are You Getting Everything You Deserve? 

A single hernia rating might not seem like much at first, especially if you’re only rated at 10% or 30%. But here’s what many veterans don’t realize: hernias may only be the surface issue and create a ripple effect, from gastrointestinal disorders to nerve pain, mobility limitations, or even mental health struggles.  

If you have multiple service-connected conditions, including other hernias or complications caused by the hernia, the VA must combine those ratings. Let’s say you have: 

1. A 30% rating for a hernia
2. A 50% rating for back pain
3. A 10% rating for chronic constipation caused by the hernia

The VA uses what’s called the combined ratings table, a system that applies percentages in order of severity, multiplying what’s left of your “unimpaired” health. It’s confusing, but it can dramatically affect your monthly compensation. 

You don’t have to guess or pull out a calculator. Use Hill & Ponton’s free VA Math Calculator to figure out your combined disability rating. 

The VA recognizes many secondary conditions linked to hernias and if your combined conditions make it hard or impossible to maintain employment, you could also qualify for TDIU and receive compensation at the 100% level. 

Keep reading to learn which secondary conditions may be connected to your hernia and whether you meet the criteria for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). These options may be your key to receiving the maximum compensation you deserve. 

How to Get 100% Disability for Hernia 

Not every hernia will qualify on its own for a 100% VA disability rating, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Veterans who can’t work due to hernia-related issues, either directly from the hernia itself or because of secondary conditions, may still be eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). 

Even if your hernia doesn’t hit that 100% mark by itself, you may still be eligible for TDIU, which provides full compensation to veterans who can’t work due to service-connected conditions. To qualify for TDIU, the VA requires: 

• One disability rated at 60% or higher, OR 
• Two or more disabilities with a combined rating of 70%, and at least one rated at 40%  

Proving that your service-connected disabilities make it impossible to hold substantially gainful employment doesn’t mean you can’t work at all, it means you can’t work consistently or earn a stable living in line with your work history, training, or education. 

For example, if you worked in a physically demanding MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and now can’t lift, bend, or walk without pain, your hernia and related complications might make employment unrealistic. If your doctor agrees and documents this in writing, that medical opinion can help you win your TDIU claim. 

To strengthen a TDIU claim, include: 

• A detailed personal statement explaining how your hernia affects your daily life and job performance 
• A vocational expert’s opinion, if possible, showing you can’t meet the demands of work in any setting 
• Medical evidence, including your C&P exam results and nexus letters 
• If available, documentation of past job attempts that failed due to pain, mobility issues, or frequent absences  

Even if your hernia seems like “just one condition,” its impact can be widespread. When paired with chronic pain, digestive trouble, mental health struggles, or nerve damage, it could be the reason you’re no longer able to earn a living. 

If working has become impossible or even just unsustainable because of your hernia and related issues, don’t settle for a lower rating. Explore whether you qualify for 100% through TDIU and get the compensation that truly reflects your reality. 

Secondary Conditions to Hernias 

When it comes to VA disability, your hernia doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It can cause or aggravate a range of secondary medical issues—from chronic pain and gastrointestinal disorders to mental health struggles and nerve damage. These secondary conditions can each qualify for their own separate VA rating, which increases your combined disability percentage and, ultimately, your monthly compensation. 

Don’t stop at the initial rating, look at the bigger picture, including secondary conditions. If you’re only claiming the hernia itself, you could be leaving money and benefits on the table. 

Below is a breakdown of the most common secondary conditions linked to hernias, along with the VA diagnostic codes and reasons why they may be eligible for separate ratings. 

Gastrointestinal Conditions 

Hernias, especially when they compress or trap parts of the intestines, can disrupt normal digestion and bowel function. The VA recognizes several gastrointestinal conditions as secondary to hernias:  

• Bowel obstructions (DC 7301): When part of your intestine gets trapped in the hernia sac, it can block the normal flow of food or waste. This is painful, potentially life-threatening, and often requires surgery. 
• Intestinal damage (DC 7301, DC 7317): Strangulated hernias can cut off blood flow to the intestines, causing tissue death or lasting injury. Damage may continue even after surgical repair. 
• Chronic constipation (DC 7319): Pressure or structural changes in your abdomen can slow down the digestive tract, especially if you’re on pain medications after surgery. 
• Gastroparesis (DC 7304 or DC 7346 by analogy): Delayed stomach emptying may occur due to pressure changes or nerve disruption near the hernia site—leading to bloating, nausea, and discomfort.   

Mental Health Disorders 

Living with a painful or complicated hernia can take a serious toll on your mental health. These conditions are often overlooked—but the VA does allow ratings for mental health issues that result from physical disabilities.

• Depression (DC 9434): Chronic pain, mobility loss, and surgery complications can lead to feelings of hopelessness, isolation, or lack of purpose—especially if you’re no longer able to work or enjoy daily life. 
• Anxiety (DC 9400): Veterans with hernias often experience persistent worry about recurrence, worsening symptoms, or medical emergencies, especially if a past hernia became strangulated. 
• Sleep disorders (DC 9499-9435 or DC 6847): Constant discomfort can keep you awake or prevent deep, restful sleep. For some, hernia pain or acid reflux due to a hiatal hernia makes lying down difficult.

Pain and Other Conditions 

Secondary complications from hernias are not limited to the digestive system. You may develop chronic pain, nerve problems, or even sexual dysfunction, especially in cases involving inguinal or incisional hernias. 

• Chronic pain syndromes (DC 5099-5025): Ongoing pain from hernia complications, especially after multiple surgeries, may be classified as fibromyalgia-like pain, even when imaging shows no acute injury. 
• Nerve entrapment (DC 8530-8539): Nerves running through the abdominal wall can get pinched by the hernia itself or during surgical repair, causing burning, tingling, or sharp pains in the groin, thigh, or abdomen. 
• Referred back pain (DC 5237 or DC 5242): To avoid triggering hernia pain, you might shift your posture or how you walk, leading to muscle strain or joint issues in the lower back. 
• Adhesions (DC 7301): After surgery, scar tissue (adhesions) may form inside the abdomen. These can cause bowel obstructions, pain, or restricted movement. 
• Nerve damage (DC 8530 and others): Some surgical repairs, especially in the groin, may sever or damage nearby nerves leaving you with permanent numbness or pain. 
• Sexual dysfunction (DC 7522 for men, DC 7611 for women): Inguinal hernias, and the surgeries to correct them, can affect nerve sensitivity and blood flow in the genital area, resulting in pain during intimacy or erectile dysfunction.

Get the Help You Need to Win Your Hernia Rating 

If you’re living with a hernia and suspect it’s tied to your military service or if your current VA disability rating doesn’t reflect the full impact the condition is having on your health, you don’t have to fight alone. 

At Hill & Ponton, our VA-accredited lawyers focus exclusively on helping veterans navigate appeals. We can review your situation, identify potential secondary conditions, and help you pursue the highest possible hernia rating and compensation you’re entitled to under the law.  

Let us help you get the benefits you’ve earned. Call us today on 1-888-477-2363 for a free case evaluation.