{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/spine-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:09.267Z","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":"Spine impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":513,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":42.1,"remanded_pct":44.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":22.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":60,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":56.7,"remanded_pct":25},{"year":2018,"issues":106,"granted_pct":11.3,"denied_pct":48.1,"remanded_pct":35.8},{"year":2019,"issues":85,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":47.1},{"year":2020,"issues":56,"granted_pct":5.4,"denied_pct":42.9,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2021,"issues":41,"granted_pct":2.4,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":61},{"year":2022,"issues":42,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":31,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2023,"issues":61,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":44.3,"remanded_pct":42.6},{"year":2024,"issues":41,"granted_pct":19.5,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":48.8},{"year":2025,"issues":48,"granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":29.2,"remanded_pct":50}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":81.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":44,"granted_pct_with":45.5,"granted_pct_without":19.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":349,"granted_pct_with":23.8,"granted_pct_without":19.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":59,"granted_pct_with":56.8,"granted_pct_without":17.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":200,"granted_pct_with":19.6,"granted_pct_without":25},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":143,"granted_pct_with":41.4,"granted_pct_without":14.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":431,"granted_pct_with":23.1,"granted_pct_without":21.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":6},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":2},{"reason":"forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":23},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":21},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":20},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":13},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":10}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037962","year":2026,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"December 2024 consultation indicated limitations in forward flexion and combined range of motion; Board interpreted findings to align with 40% rating criteria for scoliosis; Benefit of doubt resolved in favor of veteran for the 40% rating"},{"case_id":"26004281","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Evidence is at least in equipoise regarding severity; Symptoms comparable to favorable ankylosis of thoracolumbar spine; Pain on forward flexion impacts range of motion"},{"case_id":"26000225","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Veteran's statements regarding in-service fall found credible.; Favorable opinions from February 2024 VA examiner and Dr. S.B. outweigh unfavorable May 2024 VA opinion.; Reasonable doubt resolved in Veteran's favor due to approximate balance of evidence."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039785","year":2026,"judge":"J. B. FREEMAN","rationale":"No in-service event or complaint related to current back symptomatology; Symptoms began after service, not in service; No competent medical opinion linking to service"},{"case_id":"26003585","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighs against higher ratings.; Lay reports of symptoms and functional loss considered.; Flare-up limitations did not meet criteria for higher evaluations."},{"case_id":"26002692","year":2026,"judge":"S. HENEKS","rationale":"No objective findings in service treatment records; Delayed symptom manifestation (17 years post-service); VA opinions found less likely than not related to service"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}