Diagnostic Code 7338: Hernia (Inguinal, Femoral, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Rating range
- 0% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 6
- Body system
- Digestive system
The VA rates Hernia (Inguinal, Femoral, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional) under diagnostic code 7338 in 38 CFR § 4.114. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7338 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Asymptomatic hernia; present and repairable, or repaired What raters look forasymptomatic; repairable or repaired |
| 10% | Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with hernia size smaller than 3 cm What raters look forirreparable for 12 months or more; smaller than 3 cm |
| 20% | Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more, size equal to 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension, and pain for 12 months or more when performing one of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, or climbing stairs What raters look forirreparable; 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm; pain with one listed activity |
| 30% | Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more, size equal to 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm in one dimension, and pain for 12 months or more when performing at least two of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, or climbing stairs What raters look forirreparable; 3 cm or greater but less than 15 cm; pain with at least two listed activities |
| 60% | Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more, size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension, and pain for 12 months or more when performing two of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, or climbing stairs What raters look forirreparable; 15 cm or greater; pain with two listed activities |
| 100% | Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more, size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension, and pain for 12 months or more when performing at least three of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, or climbing stairs What raters look forirreparable; 15 cm or greater; pain with at least three listed activities |
DC 7338 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 520 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7338 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 16.9%, denied 75.0% and sent 8.1% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7338 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Hernia. The Hernia condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Hernia appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 2,601 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Hernia, 2021 to 2026. The Hernia condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Hernia appeals generally rather than DC 7338 specifically. The DC 7338 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7338?
Diagnostic code 7338 is the VA rating schedule entry for Hernia (Inguinal, Femoral, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional), found in 38 CFR § 4.114. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7338?
DC 7338 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7338 require?
The 100% rating for Hernia requires: Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more, size equal to 15 cm or greater in one dimension, and pain for 12 months or more when performing at least three of the following activities: bending over, activities of daily living (ADLs), walking, or climbing stairs.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7338?
In 514 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7338 from 2021 to 2026, 16.5% were granted, 75.3% denied and 8.2% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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