Muscle Hernias
Topics:
Muscle Hernias Overview
Muscle Hernia Ratings
Muscle Hernias Overview
The VA awards disability compensation for muscle hernias that are service-connected. The DoD will also rate service-connected muscle hernias as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. For Reservists, the hernia must have occurred in the Line of Duty to qualify.
A muscle hernia occurs when a muscle develops a hole or weak spot through which other tissues or organs can protrude.
Unlike other muscle conditions, muscle hernias are NOT rated on the Slight to Severe Scale. Instead, muscle hernias are rated on criteria that reflect how the hernia affects the body part affected or the surrounding body systems. Since muscle hernias can affect various body parts and internal systems, the intent of the muscle hernia ratings is to best rate the main symptoms caused by the hernia.
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Muscle Hernia Ratings
The VASRD offers ratings for the following Muscle Hernias:
- Inguinal hernias
- Femoral hernias
- Ventral hernias
- Hiatal hernias
- Diaphragm hernias
- Other muscle hernias
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Muscle Hernias FAQs
Does my Muscle Hernia qualify for VA disability?
The VA will rate all muscle hernias that officially qualify as service-connected. See our Service-Connection page to see if yours qualifies.
Does my Muscle Hernia qualify for DoD Disability?
The DoD will rate all muscle hernias that officially qualify as service-connected and make you Unfit for Duty.
What benefits will I receive for my Muscle Hernia?
The DoD will award retirement benefits for a 30% or higher rating, and a severance payment for anything less. The VA will award you a monthly payment and full medical coverage for all of your service-connected conditions. The exact amount of the monthly payment will depend on your combined VA rating for your conditions.
Will the VA make my rating for my muscle hernia permanent?
The VA only assigns a Permanent and Total (P&T) status for conditions considered medically permanent that combine to equal a 100% rating.
Does my muscle hernia qualify me for Unemployability?
Not necessarily. There are many jobs that can be performed by individuals with muscle hernias. You will only qualify for Individual Unemployability if your condition alone qualifies for a 60% rating (or 40% with a combined 70%) and has resulted in perpetual unemployment despite repeated attempts.
How much money will I receive monthly from the VA for my muscle hernia?
The exact amount you will receive monthly depends on your total combined rating and whether you have dependents. See our VA Rating Chart page for details on the current rates.
What do I do if my muscle hernia is service-connected, but my claim was denied?
You can appeal to have your claim reconsidered. Make sure that the VA has sufficient evidence to refute their reason for denial.
I have a C&P Exam scheduled. What should I expect?
The VA requires all conditions to be reviewed by their physicians in a C&P exam to ensure that the evidence necessary to properly rate the condition is recorded. You should go prepared with knowledge of how your conditions are rated so that you can make sure the physician records the essential information to get your conditions rated correctly.
