{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/thoracolumbar-or-lumbar-spine-limitation-of-motion","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:32.885Z","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":"Thoracolumbar or lumbar spine limitation of motion","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":12599,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":9.1,"denied_pct":19.2,"remanded_pct":70.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":32.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":908,"granted_pct":3.6,"denied_pct":18.4,"remanded_pct":74.4},{"year":2018,"issues":1647,"granted_pct":6.1,"denied_pct":17.2,"remanded_pct":74.6},{"year":2019,"issues":1746,"granted_pct":6.8,"denied_pct":19.4,"remanded_pct":72.8},{"year":2020,"issues":1459,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":23,"remanded_pct":68.8},{"year":2021,"issues":1280,"granted_pct":7.3,"denied_pct":19.1,"remanded_pct":72.3},{"year":2022,"issues":1277,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":15.4,"remanded_pct":74.1},{"year":2023,"issues":1456,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":18.1,"remanded_pct":70.6},{"year":2024,"issues":1331,"granted_pct":12.8,"denied_pct":18.8,"remanded_pct":67},{"year":2025,"issues":1192,"granted_pct":15,"denied_pct":23.5,"remanded_pct":59.9},{"year":2026,"issues":438,"granted_pct":22.1,"denied_pct":19.2,"remanded_pct":57.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":896,"granted_pct_with":56.6,"granted_pct_without":29.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":8381,"granted_pct_with":32.6,"granted_pct_without":30.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1499,"granted_pct_with":71.1,"granted_pct_without":22.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":5692,"granted_pct_with":32.3,"granted_pct_without":32.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":3231,"granted_pct_with":49.7,"granted_pct_without":23.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":474,"granted_pct_with":62.5,"granted_pct_without":30.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":10209,"granted_pct_with":32.8,"granted_pct_without":29.1},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":526,"granted_pct_with":52.7,"granted_pct_without":31.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":683,"granted_pct_with":52,"granted_pct_without":30.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":154},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":49},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":29},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":26},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":14},{"reason":"new and material evidence received","decisions":11}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":294},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":278},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":220},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":202},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":194},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":137}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040500","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"No dispute of current disability.; Credible lay statements regarding in-service back use.; Probative private medical opinion provided positive nexus."},{"case_id":"A26040749","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Negative service treatment records.; Diagnosis shortly after service separation.; No indication of post-service cause.; No evidence against nexus to service."},{"case_id":"A26040863","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Veteran and witnesses attest to functional impairment from low back pain; Resolving doubt in Veteran's favor, current disability established; Evidence in approximate balance, favoring relation to 2019 ADT"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040965","year":2026,"judge":"A. DEAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of lower back disability; No evidence of functional impairment; No complaints or treatments in service records"},{"case_id":"A26039460","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"Petition to readjudicate denied; No new and relevant evidence received; Prior denial of service connection for low back disorder"},{"case_id":"A26039228","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Claims file lacks evidence of diagnosis; Veteran's testimony regarding functional impairment acknowledged; Testimony inconsistent with objective medical evidence"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}