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thank you both for taking the time to reply and your thoughts, much appreciated! It's disheartening as I've had two yearly physicals with two different VA docs at my local clinic whom both during my visit I showed pages from my service records stating the possible hernia diagnosis while I was active duty and both thought my recurring hernias should be service connected, yet the private contracted outside physician's assistant that did the official c&p thought otherwise. I did request my c-file and will work on getting my personal private insurance family doc (whom I've seen since I got out in 98) and also my surgeon that did my 2nd and 3rd surgery to put something in writing linking my military service/diagnosis to the problems I've had with this hernia.

I'm not sure why the PA that did the c&p/wrote the report stated that on my entrance exam it was documented that I had 'an issue with his abdomen and viscera', all it states on any of my records is that I had surgery at 1yr old for umbilical hernia, and never had any further problems with it. My main issue is the report stated that I 'may have had a hernia prior to military service'. If that is the case how did I pass my enlistment exam (twice 1985 then 1990, I had a year broken service after first enlistment) with no mention of a possible current hernia? Nothing noted in my records for 9yrs until I started having testicle pain and groinal area bulge a few years before I got out? And if that's the case wouldn't his conclusion be considered aggravation of a pre existing condition? But even that's a moot point really, I had umbilical hernia as infant and what I ultimately ended up with was inguinal hernia, I'm sure to a surgeon that's the difference of a wrist and elbow injury.

Hello, first post here. I'm 30% since '98 for four unrelated 10% issues but am trying to service connect a recurring hernia issue I feel started AD. I had umbilical hernia corrected as an infant, and listed that on my military entrance exams and it was never an issue. I did almost 12yrs active duty, the last few years I had pains in right testical when lifting heavy objects and a few times in my SMR it's listed as 'possible abdominal hernia' or 'possible umbilical hernia' and the pain and bulge in area listed is even on my exit exam 1998 and original VA exam that year. After getting out the pain grew, bulge grew more towards inguinal area, and finally I saw a private doc and he stated I had inguinal hernia. Since 2012 I've had 3 private surgeries, and looks like I have a 4th hernia in same area. I filed a claim 2014 for inguinal hernia, finally had a C&P for it a few months ago, and was just denied. Just got a copy of the private contracted Physican's Assistant's C&P report that did my exam and this is exactly as he stated: "The veteran notes that during active service he often complained of right scrotal pain with a bulge but no treatment was done. Symptoms started around 1996 and although he was seen he was never treated. The veteran is claiming service connection for inguinal hernia condition. He is not previously rated for this condition. According to Veteran's provided entrance exam it was docuented that the veteran had an issue with his abdomen and viscera. This is an indication that the veteran may have had a hernia prior to military service. I have reviewed all the above coming to the conclusion the Veteran's hernia is not due to military service" I have a few problems with that statement above, just looking for some outside feedback, thank you!