{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/low-back-disability","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:36.472Z","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":"Low back disability","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1421,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":2.3,"denied_pct":7,"remanded_pct":82.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":25,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":114,"granted_pct":0.9,"denied_pct":7,"remanded_pct":70.2},{"year":2018,"issues":174,"granted_pct":4.6,"denied_pct":7.5,"remanded_pct":80.5},{"year":2019,"issues":178,"granted_pct":2.2,"denied_pct":9.6,"remanded_pct":80.3},{"year":2020,"issues":159,"granted_pct":4.4,"denied_pct":6.9,"remanded_pct":84.3},{"year":2021,"issues":161,"granted_pct":1.2,"denied_pct":6.2,"remanded_pct":82.6},{"year":2022,"issues":161,"granted_pct":1.9,"denied_pct":5.6,"remanded_pct":83.9},{"year":2023,"issues":162,"granted_pct":1.9,"denied_pct":6.8,"remanded_pct":83.3},{"year":2024,"issues":141,"granted_pct":2.1,"denied_pct":7.1,"remanded_pct":82.3},{"year":2025,"issues":119,"granted_pct":1.7,"denied_pct":7.6,"remanded_pct":88.2},{"year":2026,"issues":54,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":1.9,"remanded_pct":88.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":78.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":284,"granted_pct_with":37.9,"granted_pct_without":21.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1164,"granted_pct_with":23.7,"granted_pct_without":28.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":384,"granted_pct_with":56.7,"granted_pct_without":15.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":836,"granted_pct_with":20,"granted_pct_without":29.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":501,"granted_pct_with":37,"granted_pct_without":18.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":94,"granted_pct_with":42.9,"granted_pct_without":24},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1290,"granted_pct_with":27.8,"granted_pct_without":12.5},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":75,"granted_pct_with":57.1,"granted_pct_without":23.2},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":137,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":22}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"criteria for 20 percent rating met","decisions":1},{"reason":"effective march 26, 2019","decisions":1},{"reason":"functional loss during flareups","decisions":1},{"reason":"july 2019 va examination compliant with correia and sharp","decisions":1},{"reason":"limitation of forward flexion to 80 degrees","decisions":1},{"reason":"limited flexion of 15 degrees during flare-ups supports 40% rating","decisions":1}],"denied":[{"reason":"criteria for increased rating not met","decisions":1},{"reason":"forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees","decisions":1},{"reason":"multiple retrospective and contemporaneous examinations found no functional ankylosis","decisions":1},{"reason":"no ankylosis present","decisions":1},{"reason":"no evidence of criteria for rating above 40 percent","decisions":1},{"reason":"prior to march 26, 2019","decisions":1}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"23012443","year":2023,"judge":"S. BUSH","rationale":"July 2019 VA examination compliant with Correia and Sharp; Limited flexion of 15 degrees during flare-ups supports 40% rating; No ankylosis present to warrant higher rating"},{"case_id":"22003668","year":2022,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"Criteria for 20 percent rating met; Limitation of forward flexion to 80 degrees; Functional loss during flareups; Effective March 26, 2019"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"23068272","year":2023,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Multiple retrospective and contemporaneous examinations found no functional ankylosis.; Veteran's range of motion did not meet criteria for higher rating.; Schedular criteria adequately describe disability picture, precluding extraschedular rating."},{"case_id":"23012443","year":2023,"judge":"S. BUSH","rationale":"No ankylosis present; No evidence of criteria for rating above 40 percent"},{"case_id":"22003668","year":2022,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"Criteria for increased rating not met; Forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; Prior to March 26, 2019"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}