The veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by spondylolysis at L4-5 with herniated nucleus pulposus and mild nerve root compression, was found to warrant a higher evaluation of 60 percent based on severe intervertebral disc syndrome.
The deciding factor: Severe intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy was demonstrated by the veteran's history and examination findings.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolysis at L4-5, herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, mild nerve root compression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0309528
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,177 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
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 0309528.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder with anxious distress and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder, as well as a VA retrospective medical opinion addressing his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current low back disability is related to service, and denied the claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's right distal clavicle residuals and hemorrhoids were evaluated, with the initial ratings for both conditions being increased.
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