{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/degenerative-arthritis-spine-secondary-to-flat-feet","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:31.962Z","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 flat feet","secondary_condition":"Degenerative arthritis of the spine","service_connected_disability":"flat feet","decisions":419,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.4,"denied_pct":22.4,"remanded_pct":53,"granted_on_merits_pct":51,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":36,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":41.7,"remanded_pct":38.9},{"year":2018,"issues":38,"granted_pct":15.8,"denied_pct":31.6,"remanded_pct":52.6},{"year":2019,"issues":56,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":26.8,"remanded_pct":46.4},{"year":2020,"issues":59,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":54.2},{"year":2021,"issues":43,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":14,"remanded_pct":67.4},{"year":2022,"issues":45,"granted_pct":24.4,"denied_pct":20,"remanded_pct":55.6},{"year":2023,"issues":53,"granted_pct":28.3,"denied_pct":15.1,"remanded_pct":56.6},{"year":2024,"issues":44,"granted_pct":31.8,"denied_pct":15.9,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2025,"issues":43,"granted_pct":34.9,"denied_pct":18.6,"remanded_pct":44.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":81.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":59,"granted_pct_with":70.3,"granted_pct_without":46.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":357,"granted_pct_with":48.6,"granted_pct_without":73.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":130,"granted_pct_with":82.2,"granted_pct_without":23.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":322,"granted_pct_with":47,"granted_pct_without":75},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":181,"granted_pct_with":66.1,"granted_pct_without":31.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":339,"granted_pct_with":43.8,"granted_pct_without":87.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":17},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":14},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":12},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"medical literature supports correlation between pes planus and low back pain","decisions":2},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":29},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":24},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":11},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":7},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":6},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039593","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Grant based on Veteran's lay statements and private medical opinion; Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor; VA opinions found inadequate for failing to consider all evidence"},{"case_id":"A26015252","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Current diagnosis of lumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, and DDD established.; Service-connected pes planus established.; Treating neurosurgeon's opinion linked foot condition to worsening back problems.; VA examiner's negative opinion for secondary connection… [truncated, 105 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26012599","year":2026,"judge":"DONNIE R. HACHEY","rationale":"Dr. M.T. found back condition as likely as not related to service-connected pes planus and shin splints.; Functional limitations found to constitute disabling impairment.; Veteran entered service without back issues."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26024921","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"August 2020 VA examination found lumbar disability less likely than not related to service or service-connected conditions.; Lack of supporting medical evidence and normal aging process cited.; Service treatment records showed only an isolated sciatica complaint with no further lumbar issues noted."},{"case_id":"A25072525","year":2025,"judge":"M. TENNER","rationale":"No evidence of in-service event, injury, or disease for low back.; Service records silent regarding low back condition.; Pes planus not service-connected, thus secondary claim denied."},{"case_id":"A25067448","year":2025,"judge":"B. D. WATSON","rationale":"No in-service injury or illness related to the back.; Contemporaneous service records indicated no back pain.; Veteran's later statements about pain onset were inconsistent.; No credible medical evidence linking pes planus to lumbar condition.; VA examination found no gait impairment or marked defor… [truncated, 5 chars omitted]"}]},"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":432,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":206,"granted_pct":17},"causation_only":{"issues":226,"granted_pct":30.1},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":26.6,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":81,"granted_pct":46.9,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26000420","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"linked altered gait from feet disabilities to lumbar spine issues."},{"case_id":"A25039041","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"No medical literature supports link between foot conditions and back pain without gait abnormalities."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":15,"granted_pct":6.7,"examples":[{"case_id":"23011877","year":2023,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Obesity as intermediate step"},{"case_id":"24027914","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Alternative factors cited: post-service occupation, aging, obesity.."}]},{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":11,"granted_pct":27.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"23011877","year":2023,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and lumbar spine disc disease with left lower extremity radiculopathy, is granted on a secondary basis."},{"case_id":"A24062272","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"No in-service injury, disease, event, or chronic symptoms of back arthritis with radiculopathy."}]}]},"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."}}