{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/thoracolumbar-spine-limitation-of-motion","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:31.682Z","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 spine limitation of motion","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":751,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":55.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":32.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":38,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":65.8},{"year":2018,"issues":60,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":65},{"year":2019,"issues":93,"granted_pct":8.6,"denied_pct":28,"remanded_pct":63.4},{"year":2020,"issues":96,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":37.5,"remanded_pct":45.8},{"year":2021,"issues":82,"granted_pct":11,"denied_pct":28,"remanded_pct":61},{"year":2022,"issues":95,"granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":56.8},{"year":2023,"issues":83,"granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":19.3,"remanded_pct":63.9},{"year":2024,"issues":79,"granted_pct":11.4,"denied_pct":39.2,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2025,"issues":97,"granted_pct":24.7,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":42.3},{"year":2026,"issues":49,"granted_pct":22.4,"denied_pct":34.7,"remanded_pct":38.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":72.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":70,"granted_pct_with":45.5,"granted_pct_without":30.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":518,"granted_pct_with":32.1,"granted_pct_without":35.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":73,"granted_pct_with":64.4,"granted_pct_without":27.9},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":272,"granted_pct_with":38.5,"granted_pct_without":30.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":191,"granted_pct_with":48.1,"granted_pct_without":25.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":590,"granted_pct_with":33,"granted_pct_without":32.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":6},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less","decisions":3},{"reason":"forward flexion limited to 30 degrees","decisions":2},{"reason":"flexion limited to 30 degrees","decisions":2},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":15},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":12},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":8},{"reason":"no evidence of ankylosis","decisions":6},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":6},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":5}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26034449","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Rating reduction improper due to inadequate VA exam; Lack of clear evidence of sustained improvement; Protection for ratings in effect for five years or more applied"},{"case_id":"A26033759","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"Reduction improper based on evidence of worsening condition; January 2021 exam showed 50-degree flexion limit during flare-ups; January 2025 exam showed 40-degree flexion limit during flare-ups"},{"case_id":"A26031413","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Private examination found forward flexion limited to 20 degrees.; Board found evidence in approximate balance for 40% rating.; Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040965","year":2026,"judge":"A. DEAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of upper back disability; No evidence of functional impairment; No complaints or treatments in service records"},{"case_id":"A26027495","year":2026,"judge":"M. PRYCE","rationale":"Failure to report for scheduled VA examination; No current diagnosis of chronic spine disability established; No evidence of functional impairment from reported pain"},{"case_id":"A26019904","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"Forward flexion limited to 45 degrees after repeated use/flare-ups; No evidence of ankylosis; Did not meet criteria for 40% rating"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}