{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/degenerative-arthritis-spine-secondary-to-back","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:30.298Z","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":{"claim":"Degenerative arthritis of the spine secondary to a back condition","secondary_condition":"Degenerative arthritis of the spine","service_connected_disability":"a back condition","decisions":705,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.3,"denied_pct":25.1,"remanded_pct":50.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":48.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":42,"granted_pct":9.5,"denied_pct":40.5,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2018,"issues":79,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":34.2,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2019,"issues":75,"granted_pct":22.7,"denied_pct":28,"remanded_pct":48},{"year":2020,"issues":95,"granted_pct":15.8,"denied_pct":37.9,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2021,"issues":100,"granted_pct":27,"denied_pct":26,"remanded_pct":46},{"year":2022,"issues":85,"granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":23.5,"remanded_pct":48.2},{"year":2023,"issues":78,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":17.9,"remanded_pct":64.1},{"year":2024,"issues":60,"granted_pct":30,"denied_pct":8.3,"remanded_pct":61.7},{"year":2025,"issues":75,"granted_pct":33.3,"denied_pct":10.7,"remanded_pct":56},{"year":2026,"issues":27,"granted_pct":40.7,"denied_pct":11.1,"remanded_pct":48.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":82.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":97,"granted_pct_with":80.3,"granted_pct_without":38.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":596,"granted_pct_with":47.5,"granted_pct_without":55.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":179,"granted_pct_with":88.7,"granted_pct_without":22.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":512,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":64.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":283,"granted_pct_with":63.7,"granted_pct_without":30.9},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":44,"granted_pct_with":69,"granted_pct_without":46.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":572,"granted_pct_with":44.6,"granted_pct_without":72.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":25},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":7},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":5},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":5}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":41},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":26},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":22},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":14},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":9}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040325","year":2026,"judge":"T. V. CASEY","rationale":"Evidence in equipoise regarding secondary nexus; Benefit of the doubt applied; Private opinion found cervical and lumbar spine disabilities related"},{"case_id":"A26031667","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID L. WIGHT","rationale":"Private opinion provided plausible explanation for secondary nexus; Benefit of the doubt applied due to conflicting opinions"},{"case_id":"A26026702","year":2026,"judge":"M. HYLAND","rationale":"Private physician opinion found persuasive; Opinion provided detailed rationale linking conditions; Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039182","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"No service treatment records for neck complaints; VA examiner opinion: less likely than not related to service-connected back; Private records indicate ATV accident etiology, more credible than VA statements"},{"case_id":"26001792","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"Service treatment records were negative for cervical spine complaints.; Discharge examination found spine normal; first objective evidence of arthritis over 20 years post-service.; VA opinions found condition less likely than not related to service or aggravated by service-connected conditions.; Lay… [truncated, 130 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26001738","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"Manifestation of service-connected lumbar spine condition; No independent thoracic spine condition shown"}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":716,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":323,"granted_pct":10.5},"causation_only":{"issues":393,"granted_pct":33.6},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":12.4,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":33,"granted_pct":48.5,"examples":[{"case_id":"25003978","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Private opinion linked cervical disability to falls from gait instability.."},{"case_id":"22021055","year":2022,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"VA examinations and treatment records indicated a normal gait."}]},{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":33,"granted_pct":39.4,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26024677","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"The Veteran claimed service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with cervical radiculopathy, asserting it was secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability."},{"case_id":"23046542","year":2023,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The veteran claimed service connection for a cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and cervicalgia, asserting it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected..."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":11,"granted_pct":0,"examples":[{"case_id":"22017293","year":2022,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Later diagnoses attributed to aging, obesity, and occupational factors."}]}]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}