{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/intervertebral-disc-syndrome-secondary-to-ankle","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:27.524Z","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":"Intervertebral disc syndrome secondary to an ankle condition","secondary_condition":"Intervertebral disc syndrome","service_connected_disability":"an ankle condition","decisions":464,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":16.4,"remanded_pct":64.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":51.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":23,"granted_pct":17.4,"denied_pct":34.8,"remanded_pct":47.8},{"year":2018,"issues":44,"granted_pct":22.7,"denied_pct":22.7,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2019,"issues":50,"granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":18,"remanded_pct":64},{"year":2020,"issues":71,"granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":12.7,"remanded_pct":70.4},{"year":2021,"issues":53,"granted_pct":26.4,"denied_pct":7.5,"remanded_pct":66},{"year":2022,"issues":45,"granted_pct":8.9,"denied_pct":20,"remanded_pct":66.7},{"year":2023,"issues":61,"granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":13.1,"remanded_pct":75.4},{"year":2024,"issues":49,"granted_pct":24.5,"denied_pct":12.2,"remanded_pct":63.3},{"year":2025,"issues":52,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":55.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":85,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":40,"granted_pct_with":64.3,"granted_pct_without":48.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":387,"granted_pct_with":45.6,"granted_pct_without":90},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":101,"granted_pct_with":82.7,"granted_pct_without":22.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":332,"granted_pct_with":48.7,"granted_pct_without":59},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":174,"granted_pct_with":66.7,"granted_pct_without":24.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":385,"granted_pct_with":43.8,"granted_pct_without":88.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":16},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":7},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":13},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":13},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":6},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":6},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":3}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26026431","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"Favorable finding of current lumbosacral strain diagnosis and service-connected right ankle tendonitis.; Deficient VA opinions found to have low probative weight.; Competent, credible, and probative private medical opinion establishing nexus."},{"case_id":"A26017107","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Low back disability found secondary to service-connected left ankle disability.; Criteria for secondary service connection met."},{"case_id":"A26013227","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Favorable finding of current diagnosis for lumbosacral strain.; Favorable finding of service connection for left ankle sprain.; Inadequate VA exam opinion on aggravation.; Probative private medical opinion linking lumbosacral strain to ankle sprain.; Evidence in approximate balance.; Benefit of the … [truncated, 14 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26003178","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Lack of continuity of symptomology from service; Persuasive weight of evidence against nexus; VA opinions found less likely than not related to service-connected disabilities"},{"case_id":"A25109766","year":2025,"judge":"J. KIRBY","rationale":"August 2024 VA examiner opined low back disorder unrelated to service-connected knee/ankle conditions.; Medical literature does not support causal relationship between joint injuries and low back disorders via altered gait.; Veteran's claimed neck pain predated reports of limp; work-related lifting … [truncated, 17 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A25102857","year":2025,"judge":"S. BUSH","rationale":"Secondary to denied left ankle condition.; No direct service connection asserted or established."}]},"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":466,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":235,"granted_pct":10.6},"causation_only":{"issues":231,"granted_pct":24.2},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":33.3,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":121,"granted_pct":28.9,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25039281","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"The Board found that the chronic pain and weakness in the left ankle led to compensatory weight-shifting and an antalgic gait, which in turn caused the current low back condition."},{"case_id":"25002589","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Veteran's lay testimony attributed gait changes to post-service stroke."}]},{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":18,"granted_pct":22.2,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25018509","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service connection for the Veteran's lower back disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and radiculopathy, was granted as secondary to his service-connected knee instability, knee strain, ankle..."},{"case_id":"25002136","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The Board found a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy, and lumbar pain."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":17,"granted_pct":0,"examples":[{"case_id":"20071775","year":2020,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Post-service factors (aging, obesity, MVA) attributed to current disability."}]}]},"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."}}