{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/lumbosacral-or-cervical-strain","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.920Z","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 strain","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2522,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":24,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":41.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":41.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":36,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":55.6,"remanded_pct":27.8},{"year":2018,"issues":36,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":52.8,"remanded_pct":30.6},{"year":2019,"issues":227,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":39.6,"remanded_pct":44.5},{"year":2020,"issues":418,"granted_pct":19.6,"denied_pct":30.4,"remanded_pct":47.6},{"year":2021,"issues":353,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":39.4,"remanded_pct":39.1},{"year":2022,"issues":285,"granted_pct":25.3,"denied_pct":29.5,"remanded_pct":43.2},{"year":2023,"issues":322,"granted_pct":24.2,"denied_pct":30.1,"remanded_pct":41.9},{"year":2024,"issues":401,"granted_pct":25.7,"denied_pct":34.7,"remanded_pct":37.2},{"year":2025,"issues":483,"granted_pct":28.4,"denied_pct":31.1,"remanded_pct":38.3},{"year":2026,"issues":188,"granted_pct":31.9,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":30.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":324,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":36.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1959,"granted_pct_with":39.3,"granted_pct_without":51.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":375,"granted_pct_with":73,"granted_pct_without":32.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1143,"granted_pct_with":47,"granted_pct_without":35.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":644,"granted_pct_with":52.1,"granted_pct_without":36.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":117,"granted_pct_with":60,"granted_pct_without":40.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2051,"granted_pct_with":41,"granted_pct_without":41.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":78,"granted_pct_with":66.1,"granted_pct_without":40.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":121,"granted_pct_with":60.9,"granted_pct_without":39.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":91},{"reason":"evidence evenly balanced","decisions":11},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":11},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":9},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":5}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":89},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":58},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":38},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":36},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":31}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039276","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"Current diagnosis of left shoulder strain; Veteran testified to in-service injury; Probirive VA examiner opinion"},{"case_id":"A26037785","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"Current diagnosis of thoracic strain confirmed by VA exam.; In-service event noted by complaints of thoracic pain in STRs.; Nexus supported by credible lay testimony and STRs."},{"case_id":"A26036139","year":2026,"judge":"R. FEINBERG","rationale":"Reduction in rating improper; November 2024 VA exam inadequate; Restoration of prior 10 percent rating warranted"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26041016","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER HWA","rationale":"No in-service diagnosis or treatment for right ankle condition; VA examiner opined condition not related to service; Veteran's lay statements not competent to support etiology"},{"case_id":"A26038493","year":2026,"judge":"W. DAKNIS","rationale":"No unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine found.; No evidence of incapacitating episodes under IVDS Rating Formula.; Private chiropractor concurred with current 40% rating."},{"case_id":"A26038131","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Lack of nexus to service; Negative VA opinions; Inconsistent lay statements"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}