{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/degenerative-arthritis-spine","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:20.637Z","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":"Degenerative arthritis of the spine","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":58573,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.2,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":47,"granted_on_merits_pct":40.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":4995,"granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":44.1},{"year":2018,"issues":7064,"granted_pct":16,"denied_pct":34.8,"remanded_pct":45.6},{"year":2019,"issues":7483,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2020,"issues":7708,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2021,"issues":7339,"granted_pct":19.9,"denied_pct":33.5,"remanded_pct":44.7},{"year":2022,"issues":6807,"granted_pct":21.9,"denied_pct":26.5,"remanded_pct":49.9},{"year":2023,"issues":7088,"granted_pct":22.1,"denied_pct":26.2,"remanded_pct":50.2},{"year":2024,"issues":6638,"granted_pct":26.4,"denied_pct":27,"remanded_pct":44.8},{"year":2025,"issues":5525,"granted_pct":26.6,"denied_pct":27.8,"remanded_pct":43.7},{"year":2026,"issues":2309,"granted_pct":33.9,"denied_pct":26.5,"remanded_pct":37.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":6339,"granted_pct_with":60.9,"granted_pct_without":36.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":44071,"granted_pct_with":38.7,"granted_pct_without":48.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":8942,"granted_pct_with":76.2,"granted_pct_without":30},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":27702,"granted_pct_with":41.6,"granted_pct_without":38.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":18435,"granted_pct_with":52.4,"granted_pct_without":32.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":3416,"granted_pct_with":60.2,"granted_pct_without":38.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":48462,"granted_pct_with":39.9,"granted_pct_without":43.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":2168,"granted_pct_with":59.9,"granted_pct_without":39.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":2786,"granted_pct_with":55.5,"granted_pct_without":39.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":1658},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":710},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":256},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":152},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":113},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":100}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":2388},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":1955},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":1710},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":916},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":713},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":651}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005102","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Veteran reported in-service injury and treatment for back; STRs unavailable, despite multiple attempts to locate; Inadequate VA examiner opinions that did not consider lay statements or provide adequate rationales"},{"case_id":"26005085","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. PAPPAS","rationale":"Positive February 2026 VA opinion finding nexus to service; Veteran's statements of continuity of symptomatology found credible; Evidence in relative balance between positive and negative opinions"},{"case_id":"A26040468","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Equipoise of evidence regarding service connection; Benefit of the doubt doctrine applied; Private medical opinion linked condition to military activities"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040469","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN R. DOOLITTLE, II","rationale":"Prior to March 31, 2025, criteria for higher than 20% rating not met.; From March 31, 2025, criteria for higher than 40% rating not met.; No evidence of ankylosis, specific motion limitations, or prolonged incapacitating episodes."},{"case_id":"A26040590","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"Forward flexion not limited to the degree required for a higher rating.; No evidence of severe muscle spasm, guarding, ankylosis, or IVDS.; Flare-ups did not result in functional loss beyond what was considered for the 10% rating."},{"case_id":"A26040800","year":2026,"judge":"EMILY TAMLYN","rationale":"Evidence did not meet criteria for ankylosis or higher IVDS ratings.; Veteran's reported pain did not constitute functional loss beyond assigned ratings.; Board found evidence decidedly against higher ratings."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[{"citation":"38 CFR 4.71a","title":"Schedule of ratings: musculoskeletal system","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.1.B.3","title":"Spine: evaluating manifestations of spine diseases and injuries","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014410/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-1-Section-B-Musculoskeletal-Disabilities-of-the-Extremities-and-Spine"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.1.C","title":"Arthritis: degenerative arthritis and separately compensable joints","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014413/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-1-Section-C-Arthritis"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.1.A","title":"Painful motion and functional loss (38 CFR 4.59, DeLuca, Mitchell, Correia)","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014407/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-1-Section-A-Painful-Motion-and-Functional-Loss"}]}}