The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns a hernia VA rating from 0% to 100% under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7338 in 38 CFR 4.114 based on whether the condition is repairable, its physical size, and documented pain during specific physical movements. At Rank and Pay, we track federal disability evaluation criteria to explain how regional examiners assess clinical records when processing disability claims. This rating schedule applies to inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, and incisional hernias.
The DC 7338 Hernia VA Rating Schedule
Under DC 7338 in 38 CFR 4.114, VA rates an asymptomatic, repaired, or repairable hernia at 0%, while assigning compensable ratings between 10% and 100% exclusively to irreparable hernias that have persisted for 12 months or longer. A condition that can be surgically corrected or that has already undergone successful surgical closure remains at the non-compensable 0% level. To qualify for any rating of 10% or higher, clinical records must verify that the hernia is irreparable, whether it is a newly developed condition or a recurrent one.
For compensable evaluations, the rating percentage scales according to the physical dimensions of the hernia and the number of specific activities that produce pain. An irreparable hernia measuring less than 3 centimeters (cm) in one dimension receives a 10% rating. When an irreparable hernia measures 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension, VA assigns a 20% rating if pain occurs during one listed activity, or a 30% rating if pain occurs during at least two listed activities.
Severe cases involve hernias that measure 15 cm or larger in one dimension. An irreparable hernia of 15 cm or greater with pain during two listed activities receives a 60% rating. That same 15 cm or greater measurement warrants a 100% rating when clinical evidence shows pain during at least three listed activities.
The federal regulation identifies the precise movements and physical actions that count toward these thresholds, so you should check the official text of 38 CFR 4.114 to review the current list. Because VA periodically revises sections of the rating schedule, confirming the current regulatory text ensures you review active standards.
| Rating Percentage | Hernia Status | Required Duration | Measurement Dimension | Activity Pain Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Repaired, or present and repairable (asymptomatic) | None specified | Any size | No compensable pain criteria required |
| 10% | Irreparable (new or recurrent) | 12 months or more | Smaller than 3 cm | None specified |
| 20% | Irreparable | 12 months or more | 3 cm or greater, but less than 15 cm | Pain during one listed activity |
| 30% | Irreparable | 12 months or more | 3 cm or greater, but less than 15 cm | Pain during at least two listed activities |
| 60% | Irreparable | 12 months or more | 15 cm or greater in one dimension | Pain during two listed activities |
| 100% | Irreparable | 12 months or more | 15 cm or greater in one dimension | Pain during at least three listed activities |
Rules for Rating Two Inguinal Hernias
When a veteran is diagnosed with two compensable inguinal hernias, VA evaluates the more severe hernia first and then adds an additional 10% to account for the second condition. This rule provides a distinct rating adjustment for bilateral inguinal conditions without evaluating the second hernia as an entirely separate entry on the rating table.
However, VA does not add this 10% adjustment if the more severe hernia is already evaluated at 100%.
Veterans filing an inguinal hernia VA disability claim should ensure that treating providers document both sides clearly in clinical examination notes. If one side is repairable and the other is irreparable, the repairable side receives a 0% evaluation while the irreparable side is rated under standard dimensional criteria. The bilateral 10% addition applies only when both hernias meet compensable criteria on their own merits.
Types of Hernias Evaluated Under DC 7338
DC 7338 governs five primary anatomical types of hernias: inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, and incisional. An inguinal hernia develops in the groin or lower abdominal wall, whereas a femoral hernia occurs slightly lower near the upper thigh and groin crease. Umbilical hernias appear around the navel, while ventral hernias emerge along the midline of the abdominal wall.
Incisional hernias form along the site of a prior surgical scar where the abdominal wall has weakened. If you seek a ventral hernia VA rating or an incisional rating, the evaluation criteria remain identical to those used for groin hernias. Every location listed under this code is evaluated by the same core tests of repairability, physical dimensions, duration, and activity-related pain.
Service Connection Pathways for a Hernia Claim
A veteran can establish service connection for a hernia through either direct service connection or secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310. Direct service connection requires three distinct evidentiary elements: a current formal medical diagnosis of a hernia, documented evidence of an in-service injury, illness, or event, and a medical nexus establishing a connection between military service and the current diagnosis. You can explore standard evidentiary baselines through our service connection requirements overview and review medical documentation strategies in our nexus letter guide.
Secondary service connection applies when a hernia is caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected disability. Under 38 CFR 3.310, if an established condition directly produces a hernia, the hernia may qualify for service-connected compensation. Veterans seeking this pathway can learn how claims link across body systems in our guide to secondary conditions. Check VA's presumptive condition pages to see whether any presumption applies to your service.
Reviewing Medical Records Against Rating Thresholds
Reviewing your medical records against the rating criteria requires locating documentation that answers four specific questions about repairability, duration, dimensions, and pain. You can review your records using the following sequential steps to understand which rating tier matches your documented clinical status:
- Check your clinical records for a determination of repairability. If surgical records show the hernia has been surgically repaired, or if clinical notes indicate the hernia is currently repairable, the rating schedule designates the condition at 0%.
- Verify whether the condition has been present for 12 months or more. Compensable tiers from 10% to 100% require an irreparable hernia that has persisted for at least one full year.
- Locate the physical measurement of the hernia in centimeters. Notes documenting an irreparable hernia smaller than 3 cm point to the 10% level, while measurements between 3 cm and 15 cm fall within the 20% or 30% range. Measurements reaching 15 cm or larger correspond to the 60% or 100% tiers.
- Review provider notes regarding pain during physical movements. For hernias measuring 3 cm to 15 cm, documentation of pain during one listed activity aligns with 20%, whereas pain during two or more listed activities aligns with 30%. For hernias 15 cm or larger, documented pain during two listed activities aligns with 60%, and pain during three or more activities aligns with 100%.
This reading exercise illustrates how examiners categorize clinical data, but it does not determine what rating you will receive from the agency. VA raters evaluate the totality of the medical evidence in your file before making a formal determination.
What to Expect During a Hernia C&P Exam
During a hernia Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, the medical examiner reviews your treatment history and asks detailed questions about your current symptoms. The appointment provides the examiner with the clinical information needed to complete a formal disability questionnaire for the regional office. You can review preparation strategies in our C&P exam tips guide before your appointment.
The clinician will ask about when your symptoms began, the progression of the hernia over time, and any previous surgical or non-surgical treatments you received. The examiner will evaluate whether the condition is repairable or irreparable and assess physical dimensions where possible. The doctor will also document which daily physical activities produce pain or discomfort, recording those functional limitations for the rating official.
Evidence to Gather for Your Hernia VA Claim
Gathering comprehensive clinical records before submitting a hernia VA claim provides the adjudicator with the objective evidence required under DC 7338. A complete claim package should establish the onset, chronicity, and functional severity of your condition.
- Service treatment records showing the initial appearance of symptoms, emergency room visits, or medical evaluations while on active duty.
- Current clinical records from your treating physician that provide a formal diagnosis and describe whether the hernia is repairable.
- Imaging reports, such as ultrasounds or computed tomography (CT) scans, that state the precise physical measurements of the defect in centimeters.
- A medical nexus statement or opinion letter from a licensed physician connecting your condition to your service history or an existing service-connected disability.
- Treatment progress notes documenting symptoms that have persisted for 12 months or longer, including records of physical activities that trigger pain.
How a Hernia Rating Combines With Other Disabilities
VA calculates an overall disability rating using a non-additive combined rating formula rather than adding individual percentages together. If you receive a compensable rating for a hernia, that percentage is combined with your other service-connected conditions using the statutory whole person concept. To see how a potential rating affects your overall monthly percentage, test your combined numbers in our VA disability rating calculator.
Once the agency finishes evaluating your claim, it issues a formal rating decision outlining the percentage assigned and the effective date. If you need help understanding the terminology or justification in your official paperwork, consult our guide to reading a rating decision letter. Reviewing the decision letter ensures that the assigned rating accurately reflects the dimensions and functional limitations documented in your medical file.
Steps to File a Hernia VA Claim
Submitting a disability compensation claim requires following established VA filing procedures online, through the mail, or in person. Taking organized steps ensures your application is processed without unnecessary administrative delays.
- Review basic eligibility criteria on the official VA disability eligibility page to confirm that your discharge status and military service qualify for compensation.
- Submit an Intent to File form to establish an early effective date while you gather medical records and supporting evidence.
- Collect all necessary medical documentation, including service records, private clinical records, measurement notes, and medical nexus opinions.
- Submit your completed application online by following the instructions on the official VA claim filing guide.
- Attend all scheduled C&P examination appointments to ensure the agency has an up-to-date assessment of your symptoms and physical limitations.
Who This Guide Is Not For and Conditions That Alter Ratings
This guide is not intended for veterans seeking personal medical advice, surgical treatment recommendations, or formal legal representation in an active administrative appeal. If you require medical evaluation or surgical consultation, schedule an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider, or speak with an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or accredited attorney for legal counsel on an appeal.
Our analysis would change if the Department of Veterans Affairs revises 38 CFR 4.114 or alters the diagnostic criteria outlined under DC 7338. Additionally, an individual rating changes whenever a veteran's medical status shifts, such as when an irreparable hernia is successfully corrected through surgery or when clinical imaging demonstrates that the defect has increased in physical dimension.
To pursue a hernia VA rating, review your military service records, request copies of your latest physical measurements, and submit your application through the official VA disability claim portal.
This page provides general information, not legal or medical advice. Rank and Pay is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Verify your specific medical documentation and rating schedule rules with a VA regional office, an accredited representative, or an attorney before taking action.