What happens during a C&P exam for Femoral Hernia?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Femoral Hernia

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Femoral Hernia?

Femoral Hernia (DC 7338) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment). Asymptomatic hernia; present and repairable, or repaired.

Q: What rates 0% for Femoral Hernia under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) (DC 7338), a 0% rating for Femoral Hernia requires: Asymptomatic hernia; present and repairable, or repaired.

Q: What rates 10% for Femoral Hernia under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) (DC 7338), a 10% rating for Femoral Hernia requires: Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with hernia size smaller than 3 cm.

Q: What rates 20% for Femoral Hernia under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) (DC 7338), a 20% rating for Femoral Hernia requires: Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 3-15 cm in one dimension AND pain when performing one of: bending over, ADLs, walking, or climbing stairs.

Q: What rates 30% for Femoral Hernia under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) (DC 7338), a 30% rating for Femoral Hernia requires: Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 3-15 cm in one dimension AND pain when performing at least two of those activities.

Q: What rates 60% for Femoral Hernia under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) (DC 7338), a 60% rating for Femoral Hernia requires: Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 15 cm or greater AND pain when performing two of those activities.

Q: What rates 100% for Femoral Hernia under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) (DC 7338), a 100% rating for Femoral Hernia requires: Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 15 cm or greater AND pain when performing at least three of those activities.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Femoral Hernia VA claim?

Key evidence for a Femoral Hernia claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 733838 C.F.R. § 4.114

Diagnostic Code

DC 7338

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Rating Range

0–100%

6 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Femoral Hernia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7338 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7338 (all abdominal-wall hernias consolidated; the former DC 7339 ventral-hernia framework was absorbed into DC 7338 by § 4.114 amendment) across 6 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30% / 60%…). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Protrusion of abdominal contents through the femoral canal below the inguinal ligament

Rating Criteria

Asymptomatic hernia; present and repairable, or repaired.

10%

Irreparable hernia (new or recurrent) present for 12 months or more; with hernia size smaller than 3 cm.

20%

Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 3-15 cm in one dimension AND pain when performing one of: bending over, ADLs, walking, or climbing stairs.

30%

Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 3-15 cm in one dimension AND pain when performing at least two of those activities.

60%

Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 15 cm or greater AND pain when performing two of those activities.

100%

Irreparable hernia present for 12 months or more; with size 15 cm or greater AND pain when performing at least three of those activities.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.114 (Digestive system). Source verified 2026-05-17 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.114 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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