{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/foot-impairment-secondary-to-back","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:24.784Z","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":"Foot impairment secondary to a back condition","secondary_condition":"Foot impairment","service_connected_disability":"a back condition","decisions":380,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":5.8,"denied_pct":20.3,"remanded_pct":73.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":22.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":26,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":42.3,"remanded_pct":57.7},{"year":2018,"issues":35,"granted_pct":5.7,"denied_pct":17.1,"remanded_pct":68.6},{"year":2019,"issues":53,"granted_pct":5.7,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":66},{"year":2020,"issues":58,"granted_pct":3.4,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":67.2},{"year":2021,"issues":62,"granted_pct":4.8,"denied_pct":22.6,"remanded_pct":72.6},{"year":2022,"issues":63,"granted_pct":1.6,"denied_pct":9.5,"remanded_pct":88.9},{"year":2023,"issues":60,"granted_pct":5,"denied_pct":10,"remanded_pct":85},{"year":2024,"issues":77,"granted_pct":5.2,"denied_pct":15.6,"remanded_pct":79.2},{"year":2025,"issues":39,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":15.4,"remanded_pct":61.5},{"year":2026,"issues":23,"granted_pct":13,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":65.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":305,"granted_pct_with":21.8,"granted_pct_without":25},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":49,"granted_pct_with":58.3,"granted_pct_without":10.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":249,"granted_pct_with":18.4,"granted_pct_without":34.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":92,"granted_pct_with":34.4,"granted_pct_without":16.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":321,"granted_pct_with":20.5,"granted_pct_without":36.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":2},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":10},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":9},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":8},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":7},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":5}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26029928","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"Prognosis favors service connection; Secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain; More probative evidence from private/VA treatment records; Pain with functional loss constitutes a disability"},{"case_id":"A26017778","year":2026,"judge":"RAY BARTO SLABBEKORN, JR.","rationale":"Private chiropractor opined condition is more likely than not secondary to lumbar spine disorder.; Chiropractor cited antalgic gait and weight-shifting due to lumbar spine disorder.; Private opinion given great weight due to reliance on medical history and clear conclusions."},{"case_id":"A25071553","year":2025,"judge":"J.M. ESTES","rationale":"Aggravated by service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities; Private medical opinion found at least as likely as not aggravated; Benefit of the doubt applied"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26030288","year":2026,"judge":"A. S. CARACCIOLO","rationale":"No current foot disability established.; No nexus to service-connected lumbar spine disability shown."},{"case_id":"26001978","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"No in-service injury documented for right foot; Negative nexus opinions from VA examiners (Aug 2024, Mar 2025); No evidence of aggravation by service-connected lumbar spine condition"},{"case_id":"26001394","year":2026,"judge":"LESLEY A. REIN","rationale":"No evidence of in-service manifestation or relation to in-service injury; Lay statements lacked probative value due to inconsistencies; No specific treatment for foot issues during service; Failure to attend VA examinations"}]},"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":496,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":171,"granted_pct":4.1},"causation_only":{"issues":325,"granted_pct":7.1},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":26.8,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":79,"granted_pct":3.8,"examples":[{"case_id":"20011363","year":2020,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Medical evidence supports nexus between DDD and left lower extremity radiculopathy.."},{"case_id":"A26000395","year":2026,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The Board denied this claim, finding no in-service complaints for the foot and that the VA examiner attributed the foot numbness to superficial peroneal neuropathy unrelated to the back."}]},{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":43,"granted_pct":23.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26017778","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Chiropractor cited antalgic gait and weight-shifting due to lumbar spine disorder."},{"case_id":"20080214","year":2020,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Board concluded foot issues already compensated under service-connected radiculopathy."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":14,"granted_pct":14.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25018053","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Obesity as intermediate step"},{"case_id":"A21002205","year":2021,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Disability attributed to morbid obesity and post-service strain."}]}]},"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."}}