Yes, a previously denied claim can be reopened, and the fact that years have passed does not bar you from doing so. The key is whether you have new and relevant evidence that was not part of the record when the original decision was made. A new MRI showing disc disease, a diagnosis of radiculopathy, or a doctor's statement connecting your current condition to symptoms that began in service can all qualify. The proper vehicle for this is a Supplemental Claim, filed on VA Form 20-0995, which allows you to submit new and relevant evidence for a previously denied issue without having to prove clear and unmistakable error.
For a back condition tied to airborne duty or heavy rucking, the strongest evidence usually includes: service treatment records showing any back or leg complaints, personnel records confirming jump status (jump orders, airborne school certificate, jump pay entries), buddy statements describing the physical toll of jumps or rucking, and — most importantly — a current medical nexus opinion. A nexus opinion from a physician stating that it is at least as likely as not that your degenerative disc disease and any associated radiculopathy (numbness, foot drop, weakness) are related to the repetitive impact and load-bearing stress of parachute operations and ruck marches can be decisive. Since you've had surgery and now have neurological symptoms like foot drop and numbness in the thigh, those may support a separate secondary claim for radiculopathy under 38 CFR 4.124a, rated apart from the spine condition itself.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Does your rating decision hold up under a real audit?
Upload your decision letter and C&P exams — VetAid's analyzer reads the full file, checks every examiner statement word-for-word against your records, and shows which arguments for a higher rating actually hold. Free, and we never take a cut of your back pay.
Analyze my claim free →Regarding outcomes, appealed back and spine claims in VetAid's library of appealed VA decisions show that a majority are vacated or remanded, with about a quarter affirmed and a small share reversed or granted outright — though this is appellate data on cases that were already appealed, not a prediction of how an initial or supplemental claim will fare, since appealed cases are not representative of all claims.
The concrete next step is to file VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim) and attach the new MRI, surgical records, a nexus opinion linking your degenerative disc disease and neurological symptoms to your airborne/rucking duties, and any personnel records confirming that duty history.
Need a deeper analysis?
Our AI checks your situation against outcome data from 1,300,000+ Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) decisions (2009–2025).
Analyze Your Claim Free