{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/peripheral-nerve-conditions-secondary-to-back","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:22.918Z","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":"Peripheral nerve conditions secondary to a back condition","secondary_condition":"Peripheral nerve conditions","service_connected_disability":"a back condition","decisions":308,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":32.1,"denied_pct":30.5,"remanded_pct":38,"granted_on_merits_pct":51.3,"by_year":[{"year":2018,"issues":45,"granted_pct":31.1,"denied_pct":28.9,"remanded_pct":40},{"year":2019,"issues":35,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":48.6},{"year":2020,"issues":46,"granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":50,"remanded_pct":30.4},{"year":2021,"issues":28,"granted_pct":28.6,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":42.9},{"year":2022,"issues":62,"granted_pct":33.9,"denied_pct":19.4,"remanded_pct":46.8},{"year":2023,"issues":52,"granted_pct":34.6,"denied_pct":19.2,"remanded_pct":46.2},{"year":2024,"issues":65,"granted_pct":35.4,"denied_pct":38.5,"remanded_pct":26.2},{"year":2025,"issues":78,"granted_pct":39.7,"denied_pct":23.1,"remanded_pct":37.2},{"year":2026,"issues":25,"granted_pct":28,"denied_pct":16,"remanded_pct":56}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":52,"granted_pct_with":81.4,"granted_pct_without":42.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":65,"granted_pct_with":83.3,"granted_pct_without":38.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":176,"granted_pct_with":43.1,"granted_pct_without":61.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":106,"granted_pct_with":61.6,"granted_pct_without":45},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":266,"granted_pct_with":48,"granted_pct_without":77.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":28},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":10},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":10},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":3},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":2},{"reason":"veteran's lay statements described symptoms consistent with radiculopathy","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":19},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":11},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":11},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":8},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":5},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":3}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040550","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"Service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis; Medical treatment records indicate radiculopathy and sciatica; VA examinations inadequate for causation and contrary evidence; Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26039303","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"VA examiner opined radiculopathy related to back disability; 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a) supports secondary service connection; Service connection established for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine"},{"case_id":"26004857","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Favorable nexus opinion from VA examiner; Benefit of the doubt applied; Secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039174","year":2026,"judge":"S. SORATHIA","rationale":"No current disability from claimed finger numbness; Lumbosacral spine disability did not cause or contribute to finger numbness; VA clinician opined cervical radiculopathy responsible for finger symptoms"},{"case_id":"A26024384","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"VA examinations diagnosed diabetic neuropathy, linked to non-service-connected diabetes.; No continuity of symptoms from brief in-service leg pain.; Symptoms first reported 23 years post-service.; Private chiropractor opinion lacked sufficient rationale for nexus to lumbar spine disability."},{"case_id":"26002163","year":2026,"judge":"L. B. CRYAN","rationale":"No objective evidence of radiculopathy on examination or imaging.; Conflicting and speculative VA examiner opinions regarding etiology.; Veteran's subjective reports of pain and numbness not meeting diagnostic criteria."}]},"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":452,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":63,"granted_pct":6.3},"causation_only":{"issues":389,"granted_pct":34.2},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":2.7,"pathways":[]},"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."}}