Femoral Hernia — VA Disability Rating (DC 7338)

Diagnostic Code 7338 · 38 CFR §4.114

What Is It?

DC 7340 no longer exists. VA rewrote the digestive schedule effective May 19, 2024 (89 FR 19743). It combined the inguinal, ventral and femoral hernia codes into one, DC 7338, "Hernia, including femoral, inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional, and other (but not including hiatal)." VA’s reason was that "these different types of hernia have similar functional impairments that arise from the weakness and/or defects of the" abdominal wall. VA said so itself in the rulemaking, code by code: the removal "would not, in and of itself, alter existing evaluations or grants of service connection. Rather, VA would modify the individual’s record to reflect the grant of service connection under" the current code. 38 CFR § 3.951(a) says the same thing as a rule of general application — a readjustment to the rating schedule is not grounds for reducing an evaluation already in effect unless medical evidence establishes that the disability has actually improved. The old code still appears in this page’s web address because the address has not changed; the code the page teaches has. A femoral hernia pushes through the femoral canal, the narrow opening in the lower groin where the femoral vessels pass into the thigh. Compared with an inguinal hernia it sits lower, is smaller, and is far more likely to incarcerate or strangulate because the canal is narrow and rigid — which is why femoral hernias are usually repaired promptly.

Rating Criteria

Evidence Needed

A current physical examination by a general surgeon documenting the hernia location, reducibility, size, and whether a truss or belt provides adequate control is the centerpiece. Ultrasound or CT imaging of the groin characterizes the defect and distinguishes femoral from inguinal hernia — the distinction matters because the rating codes differ and the natural history is different. Records of any surgical repair, any recurrence, mesh complications, and any incarceration or strangulation episodes document the disease course. A history of in-service heavy lifting, sustained physical demands, or post-surgical groin weakness establishes the nexus when service treatment records show the inciting event. Photographs taken under Valsalva can capture the bulge for the record.

C&P Exam Tips

Bring imaging, the operative reports if any repairs were performed, and a clear functional account of how the hernia affects daily activity. The rating language specifically asks whether a truss or belt controls the hernia — make sure the examiner answers that. Demonstrate the hernia under both relaxed and Valsalva conditions; many femoral hernias only appear with abdominal pressure. Describe any episodes of partial incarceration, the pain pattern, and whether emergency care was sought. If the hernia has been declared inoperable, bring that documentation explicitly, because the inoperable finding drives the 60% and 100% tiers.

How to File

File VA Form 21-526EZ naming femoral hernia; the rater assigns DC 7338. Get the surgeon to record the defect size in centimetres and whether the hernia is irreparable, and document the date it was first identified, because every compensable row requires 12 months or more of duration. Record any incarceration or strangulation episodes separately — an emergency admission is strong evidence for the pain-on-activity items and may support separate claims for bowel residuals.

Common Mistakes

Filing under inguinal hernia (DC 7338) when the actual location is femoral — the codes have different rating ceilings and the natural histories diverge Not addressing the truss/belt question on the C&P exam, which is the specific rating language Ignoring incarceration episodes because they self-resolved at home; documented episodes still drive the rating tier Treating recurrence after repair as a brand-new condition rather than evidence of a more severe underlying defect, which strengthens the case for higher tiers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do femoral and inguinal hernias rate the same now?

They use the same table. Since May 19, 2024 DC 7338 covers femoral, inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional and other hernias except hiatal, and the percentage turns on size, irreparability and pain on four named activities rather than on hernia type.

I have two hernias. Do they combine?

Note 1 to DC 7338 addresses only the two-inguinal case: evaluate the more severely disabling hernia first, then add 10 percent for the second — unless the more disabling one is already rated 100 percent, in which case no addition is made.

My decision cites DC 7340. Is it still good?

Yes. VA said removing the code "would not, in and of itself, alter existing evaluations or grants of service connection," and 38 CFR § 3.951(a) provides that a readjustment to the schedule is not grounds for a reduction unless medical evidence establishes actual improvement.