{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/spinal-fusion","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:00.489Z","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":"Spinal fusion","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1273,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":17.7,"remanded_pct":70,"granted_on_merits_pct":36.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":156,"granted_pct":7.1,"denied_pct":16.7,"remanded_pct":72.4},{"year":2018,"issues":291,"granted_pct":3.8,"denied_pct":18.2,"remanded_pct":72.5},{"year":2019,"issues":264,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":14.4,"remanded_pct":76.1},{"year":2020,"issues":98,"granted_pct":7.1,"denied_pct":22.4,"remanded_pct":63.3},{"year":2021,"issues":83,"granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":16.9,"remanded_pct":67.5},{"year":2022,"issues":101,"granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":10.9,"remanded_pct":68.3},{"year":2023,"issues":111,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":20.7,"remanded_pct":63.1},{"year":2024,"issues":97,"granted_pct":14.4,"denied_pct":19.6,"remanded_pct":64.9},{"year":2025,"issues":91,"granted_pct":20.9,"denied_pct":22,"remanded_pct":56},{"year":2026,"issues":34,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":14.7,"remanded_pct":58.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":61.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":98,"granted_pct_with":74.5,"granted_pct_without":29.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":704,"granted_pct_with":36.5,"granted_pct_without":35.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":119,"granted_pct_with":79.4,"granted_pct_without":26.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":410,"granted_pct_with":38.2,"granted_pct_without":34.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":287,"granted_pct_with":53.7,"granted_pct_without":26.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":60,"granted_pct_with":66.7,"granted_pct_without":33.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":934,"granted_pct_with":37.3,"granted_pct_without":30},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":50,"granted_pct_with":53.3,"granted_pct_without":35.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":11},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2},{"reason":"etiologically related to service","decisions":2},{"reason":"in-service treatment for back pain","decisions":2},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":28},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":15},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":12},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":11},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":11},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":10}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037939","year":2026,"judge":"A. S. CARACCIOLO","rationale":"Competent lay reports of pain onset during service; Continuity of symptomatology established; Negative VA opinion found inadequate"},{"case_id":"A26022930","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Symptoms approximated moderate incomplete paralysis; Secondary to service-connected parkinsonism; Criteria for 10 percent rating met"},{"case_id":"A26015134","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"October 2013 records show disc space loss and severe arthritis; November 2013 records reflect diagnosis of herniated disc; Evidence in approximate balance regarding nexus to service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037508","year":2026,"judge":"T. MAINELLI","rationale":"No in-service complaints or treatment for spine disability.; Separation exam showed no back complaints.; No evidence of current diagnosed spine disability other than cervicalgia.; No medical evidence supports nexus to service."},{"case_id":"A26028472","year":2026,"judge":"H. SEESEL","rationale":"Current diagnosis of thoracic strain; No diagnosis until many years after service; VA examiner opined condition not related to service; Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection"},{"case_id":"A26012877","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"Veteran already rated at 20%; Forward flexion limited to 50 degrees in flare (not 30 degrees or less); No evidence of ankylosis or neurological abnormalities"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}