{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/back-disability","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:07.517Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Back disability","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1433,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":3.6,"denied_pct":10.7,"remanded_pct":78.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":25.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":88,"granted_pct":2.3,"denied_pct":13.6,"remanded_pct":70.5},{"year":2018,"issues":161,"granted_pct":3.1,"denied_pct":11.2,"remanded_pct":80.7},{"year":2019,"issues":155,"granted_pct":3.9,"denied_pct":16.1,"remanded_pct":73.5},{"year":2020,"issues":127,"granted_pct":2.4,"denied_pct":11.8,"remanded_pct":75.6},{"year":2021,"issues":146,"granted_pct":4.1,"denied_pct":7.5,"remanded_pct":82.9},{"year":2022,"issues":176,"granted_pct":1.7,"denied_pct":4.5,"remanded_pct":86.9},{"year":2023,"issues":199,"granted_pct":3,"denied_pct":10.1,"remanded_pct":78.9},{"year":2024,"issues":157,"granted_pct":4.5,"denied_pct":8.3,"remanded_pct":79},{"year":2025,"issues":163,"granted_pct":5.5,"denied_pct":13.5,"remanded_pct":78.5},{"year":2026,"issues":61,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":14.8,"remanded_pct":73.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":76.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":261,"granted_pct_with":38.2,"granted_pct_without":22.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1167,"granted_pct_with":26.3,"granted_pct_without":20.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":368,"granted_pct_with":49.2,"granted_pct_without":15.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":836,"granted_pct_with":28.3,"granted_pct_without":21.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":531,"granted_pct_with":35.6,"granted_pct_without":17.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":84,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":24.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1295,"granted_pct_with":26,"granted_pct_without":20.8},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":101,"granted_pct_with":53.8,"granted_pct_without":23.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":121,"granted_pct_with":18.2,"granted_pct_without":25.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"forward flexion limited to 30 degrees","decisions":1},{"reason":"functional loss due to pain, stiffness, limited range of motion","decisions":1},{"reason":"pain on weight bearing and motion","decisions":1}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current back disability found","decisions":1},{"reason":"no substantiation of chronic disability related to service","decisions":1},{"reason":"symptom exaggeration noted by examiners","decisions":1},{"reason":"va examiners' opinions more probative than lay assertions","decisions":1}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"23039705","year":2023,"judge":"S. MERRICK","rationale":"Forward flexion limited to 30 degrees; Pain on weight bearing and motion; Functional loss due to pain, stiffness, limited range of motion"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A24060358","year":2024,"judge":"RAY BARTO SLABBEKORN, JR.","rationale":"No current back disability found; No substantiation of chronic disability related to service; VA examiners' opinions more probative than lay assertions; Symptom exaggeration noted by examiners"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}