Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20% to 40% for residuals of lumbar diskectomy at L5-S1 with radiculopathy was granted.

The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's symptoms, as evidenced by his MRI and clinical examination, warranted a higher evaluation based on severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

Claimed conditions
lumbar diskectomy at L5-S1 with radiculopathy
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
April 10, 2003
Citation
0306904

Veterans Law Judge

KURT G. EHRMAN

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0306904.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.