{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/lumbosacral-or-cervical-spine-limitation-of-motion","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:32.173Z","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":"Lumbosacral or cervical spine limitation of motion","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":851,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":9.8,"denied_pct":14.2,"remanded_pct":75.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":40.7,"by_year":[{"year":2018,"issues":34,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":11.8,"remanded_pct":73.5},{"year":2019,"issues":96,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":12.5,"remanded_pct":79.2},{"year":2020,"issues":116,"granted_pct":8.6,"denied_pct":13.8,"remanded_pct":77.6},{"year":2021,"issues":99,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":11.1,"remanded_pct":76.8},{"year":2022,"issues":88,"granted_pct":10.2,"denied_pct":10.2,"remanded_pct":77.3},{"year":2023,"issues":105,"granted_pct":5.7,"denied_pct":11.4,"remanded_pct":80},{"year":2024,"issues":117,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":18.8,"remanded_pct":68.4},{"year":2025,"issues":142,"granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":18.3,"remanded_pct":68.3},{"year":2026,"issues":61,"granted_pct":13.1,"denied_pct":13.1,"remanded_pct":72.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":79.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":88,"granted_pct_with":65.6,"granted_pct_without":36},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":621,"granted_pct_with":41.6,"granted_pct_without":38},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":100,"granted_pct_with":78.4,"granted_pct_without":28.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":360,"granted_pct_with":40,"granted_pct_without":41.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":193,"granted_pct_with":58.2,"granted_pct_without":32.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":47,"granted_pct_with":76.5,"granted_pct_without":37.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":651,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":29.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":57,"granted_pct_with":53.8,"granted_pct_without":39.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":3},{"reason":"evidence evenly balanced","decisions":3},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":2},{"reason":"competent and credible lay statements","decisions":2},{"reason":"evidence approximately balanced","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":12},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":10},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":8},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":7},{"reason":"did not meet criteria for higher rating","decisions":5},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":5}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26034334","year":2026,"judge":"RYAN T. KESSEL","rationale":"Prior favorable finding of lumbar strain; Probative non-VA opinion linking lumbar strain to in-service injury; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26021909","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"Reduction based on single examination finding inadequate; No indication of material improvement; 20 percent rating restored"},{"case_id":"A26021270","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"In-service motor vehicle accident in 2006; Post-service VA treatment for chronic low back pain; VA examination diagnosed lumbar strain; Private DBQ linked lumbar strain to in-service accident and duties; Evidence evenly balanced, benefit of doubt resolved in favor of veteran"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037012","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Did not meet criteria for higher rating; Objective findings did not meet threshold for increased rating"},{"case_id":"A26031699","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Evidence weighs against service connection; No in-service onset or relation found; Service treatment records silent; post-service work injury noted"},{"case_id":"A26029822","year":2026,"judge":"C. CRAWFORD","rationale":"No current diagnosis of lower back strain found in the record.; Veteran's lay assertions lack probative weight for medical diagnosis.; Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}