{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/spinal-stenosis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:40.538Z","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 stenosis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":616,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":29.2,"remanded_pct":56.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":132,"granted_pct":5.3,"denied_pct":28,"remanded_pct":60.6},{"year":2018,"issues":214,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":55.6},{"year":2019,"issues":133,"granted_pct":9.8,"denied_pct":22.6,"remanded_pct":67.7},{"year":2021,"issues":29,"granted_pct":20.7,"denied_pct":37.9,"remanded_pct":41.4},{"year":2022,"issues":30,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":23.3,"remanded_pct":56.7},{"year":2024,"issues":35,"granted_pct":25.7,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":40},{"year":2025,"issues":23,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":39.1,"remanded_pct":39.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":48,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":24},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":398,"granted_pct_with":29.4,"granted_pct_without":28.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":71,"granted_pct_with":63.3,"granted_pct_without":21},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":269,"granted_pct_with":29.3,"granted_pct_without":29},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":159,"granted_pct_with":46.8,"granted_pct_without":21.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":496,"granted_pct_with":30.5,"granted_pct_without":19.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":9},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":2},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":2},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":25},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":22},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":15},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":13},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":9},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26035914","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Service treatment records show treatment for back injury.; Appellant sought care for back pain in July 2005.; Service treatment report noted depression and fight incident."},{"case_id":"A26022509","year":2026,"judge":"K.A. KENNERLY","rationale":"Private medical record found most probative; No contrary competent medical evidence; Benefit of the doubt resolved in appellant's favor"},{"case_id":"A26015438","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"June 2014 VA exam noted pain on motion at 60 degrees flexion and mild left sciatic radiculopathy.; March 2020 VA exam noted pain significantly limited functional ability, though passive range of motion testing was not fully completed.; Board resolved reasonable doubt in veteran's favor, granting 20%… [truncated, 42 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26032313","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Evidence weighed against unfavorable ankylosis of entire thoracolumbar spine; Limited forward flexion and no significant functional loss beyond 40% rating criteria; Benefit-of-the-doubt rule did not apply as evidence weighed against claim"},{"case_id":"A26012099","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"No ankylosis of the spine found.; Functional loss during flare-ups did not meet criteria for higher ratings.; No neurological abnormalities related to the spine."},{"case_id":"A26002645","year":2026,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"Difficulty walking is a symptom of other diagnosed conditions (back, bilateral knee, pes planus).; Not a valid disability for VA compensation purposes.; RO concession of difficulty walking interpreted in light of precedential guidance."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}