{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/intervertebral-disc-syndrome","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:13.795Z","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":"Intervertebral disc syndrome","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":45078,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":30.5,"remanded_pct":49.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":38.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":3157,"granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":36.6,"remanded_pct":42.1},{"year":2018,"issues":5079,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":33.2,"remanded_pct":46.1},{"year":2019,"issues":5692,"granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":30.3,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2020,"issues":5731,"granted_pct":16.2,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":47.1},{"year":2021,"issues":5393,"granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":31.9,"remanded_pct":48.1},{"year":2022,"issues":5153,"granted_pct":18.5,"denied_pct":25.8,"remanded_pct":53.5},{"year":2023,"issues":5329,"granted_pct":19.7,"denied_pct":25.5,"remanded_pct":52.6},{"year":2024,"issues":5295,"granted_pct":22.6,"denied_pct":28.2,"remanded_pct":47.1},{"year":2025,"issues":4949,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":29.8,"remanded_pct":43.8},{"year":2026,"issues":1893,"granted_pct":30.9,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":39}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":4953,"granted_pct_with":56.9,"granted_pct_without":35},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":33983,"granted_pct_with":37.2,"granted_pct_without":45.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":6795,"granted_pct_with":72.9,"granted_pct_without":29.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":21290,"granted_pct_with":39.6,"granted_pct_without":37.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":14146,"granted_pct_with":51,"granted_pct_without":31},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":2398,"granted_pct_with":57.1,"granted_pct_without":37.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":38543,"granted_pct_with":38.2,"granted_pct_without":41.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":1829,"granted_pct_with":60.4,"granted_pct_without":37.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":2279,"granted_pct_with":54.5,"granted_pct_without":37.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":1047},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":279},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":125},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":82},{"reason":"forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less","decisions":67},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":63}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":1597},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":1098},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":949},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":698},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":582},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":346}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040949","year":2026,"judge":"M. DONOHUE","rationale":"Current diagnosis of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis; In-service injury from motor vehicle accident in October 1995; Probative private medical opinion finding condition at least as likely as not related to service; Inadequate VA nexus opinions due to inaccurate premise and lack of rat… [truncated, 71 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"26005055","year":2026,"judge":"C. CRAWFORD","rationale":"August 2025 VA examination found forward flexion limited to 10 degrees during flare-up, with pain.; Examiner explained \"locking up\" episodes do not constitute functional ankylosis.; No ankylosis or neurologic abnormalities found; no IVDS or incapacitating episodes."},{"case_id":"A26039967","year":2026,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"New and relevant evidence (private medical opinion and treatment records) warranted readjudication.; Evidence persuasively favors conclusion that condition is at least as likely as not secondary to service-connected left tibia stress fracture with left shin splint.; Resolved all reasonable doubt in … [truncated, 21 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040789","year":2026,"judge":"L.M. YASUI","rationale":"Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examination without good cause.; No evidence of current back disability.; Most recent treatment for back strain was in December 2010."},{"case_id":"A26040822","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"No competent, credible, persuasive medical opinion establishing etiological relationship to service.; VA examiner opined condition less likely than not related to service.; Service medical records silent for back complaints; first VA mention 25 years post-service."},{"case_id":"A26040138","year":2026,"judge":"D. JOHNSON","rationale":"Service treatment records absent of back pain complaints or findings; Veteran denied recurrent back pain during service; No medical evidence or opinion linking current disability to service"}]},"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 IVDS and incapacitating episodes","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.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"}]}}