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Granted

The veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine are rated at 20 percent each, with no further increase in rating due to additional conditions or exposure.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine have been rated at 20 percent each since their initial assignment in 1977. There is no evidence of additional disability that would warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

Claimed conditions
Herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, Traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
September 11, 2006
Citation
0628695

Veterans Law Judge

CONSTANCE B. TOBIAS

Decisions by this judge: 244 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0628695.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.

What you can do next

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