The Veteran's service-connected herniated discs, L4-L5 and L5-S1, are currently rated at 10 percent. The issues of recurrent bilateral shoulder strain (claimed as tendonitis) have been addressed with a noncompensable rating prior to November 8, 2008, and a compensable rating since that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected herniated discs do not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent. The recurrent bilateral shoulder strain has been rated as noncompensable prior to November 8, 2008, and compensable since then due to the presence of pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated discs, L4-L5 and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0938275
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 0938275.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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