{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/ulnar-nerve-paralysis-secondary-to-back","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:22.362Z","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":"Ulnar nerve paralysis secondary to a back condition","secondary_condition":"Ulnar nerve paralysis","service_connected_disability":"a back condition","decisions":631,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":34.4,"denied_pct":13,"remanded_pct":52.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":72.6,"by_year":[{"year":2019,"issues":64,"granted_pct":29.7,"denied_pct":12.5,"remanded_pct":57.8},{"year":2020,"issues":102,"granted_pct":25.5,"denied_pct":16.7,"remanded_pct":56.9},{"year":2021,"issues":131,"granted_pct":26,"denied_pct":10.7,"remanded_pct":63.4},{"year":2022,"issues":149,"granted_pct":31.5,"denied_pct":10.7,"remanded_pct":57},{"year":2023,"issues":142,"granted_pct":35.2,"denied_pct":9.9,"remanded_pct":53.5},{"year":2024,"issues":137,"granted_pct":40.9,"denied_pct":13.1,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2025,"issues":171,"granted_pct":39.8,"denied_pct":15.8,"remanded_pct":44.4},{"year":2026,"issues":55,"granted_pct":50.9,"denied_pct":3.6,"remanded_pct":45.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":85,"granted_pct_with":91.2,"granted_pct_without":67.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":498,"granted_pct_with":72,"granted_pct_without":75.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":172,"granted_pct_with":90.7,"granted_pct_without":56.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":367,"granted_pct_with":69.8,"granted_pct_without":77.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":268,"granted_pct_with":83.8,"granted_pct_without":57.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":43,"granted_pct_with":85.3,"granted_pct_without":70.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":518,"granted_pct_with":72.2,"granted_pct_without":75}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":112},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":23},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":12},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":5},{"reason":"secondary service connection granted","decisions":3},{"reason":"met criteria for secondary service connection","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":12},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":8},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":7},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":7},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":6},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040931","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Current radiculopathy assessed in VA examinations.; Evidence evenly balanced regarding causation to service-connected lumbar spine condition.; Doubt resolved in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26038964","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTIN HADDOCK","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected back disability; Veteran's assertion found persuasive; VA examiner opined radiculopathy likely due to spinal stenosis/DDD"},{"case_id":"A26034421","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected back disability; Medical opinions related radiculopathy to back"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26001881","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Claimed as secondary to lumbar spine disability.; Primary claim for lumbar spine disability denied.; No neurologic complaints or symptoms shown in service."},{"case_id":"A25103390","year":2025,"judge":"JENNA BRANT","rationale":"No current diagnosis of upper extremity radiculopathy; No credible evidence of persistent upper extremity symptoms; In-service report of numbness/tingling was generalized and did not involve upper extremities; No post-service medical evidence or lay statements corroborated upper extremity condition"},{"case_id":"A25098803","year":2025,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"Service connection for back disability not established.; Radiculopathy claimed secondary to back disability.; Board denied claim as a matter of law."}]},"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":973,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":118,"granted_pct":4.2},"causation_only":{"issues":855,"granted_pct":37.9},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":0.9,"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."}}