{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/adjustment-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:45.317Z","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":{"condition":"Adjustment disorder","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":5030,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.3,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":47.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":46,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":149,"granted_pct":10.7,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2018,"issues":340,"granted_pct":19.1,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":47.4},{"year":2019,"issues":543,"granted_pct":19.3,"denied_pct":25.2,"remanded_pct":53.4},{"year":2020,"issues":574,"granted_pct":18.3,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":46.7},{"year":2021,"issues":487,"granted_pct":19.3,"denied_pct":24.8,"remanded_pct":51.7},{"year":2022,"issues":535,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":22.1,"remanded_pct":55.7},{"year":2023,"issues":663,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":24.6,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2024,"issues":689,"granted_pct":27,"denied_pct":26,"remanded_pct":44.3},{"year":2025,"issues":852,"granted_pct":29.8,"denied_pct":29.8,"remanded_pct":37},{"year":2026,"issues":321,"granted_pct":34.9,"denied_pct":31.2,"remanded_pct":31.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":647,"granted_pct_with":76,"granted_pct_without":38.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3745,"granted_pct_with":44,"granted_pct_without":55.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":873,"granted_pct_with":79,"granted_pct_without":35.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2239,"granted_pct_with":43.1,"granted_pct_without":48.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1611,"granted_pct_with":56.4,"granted_pct_without":39.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":278,"granted_pct_with":56.2,"granted_pct_without":45.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":4099,"granted_pct_with":44.6,"granted_pct_without":56},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":143,"granted_pct_with":63.4,"granted_pct_without":45.5},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":331,"granted_pct_with":58.6,"granted_pct_without":45}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":120},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":82},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":27},{"reason":"symptoms approximated 70% rating criteria","decisions":13},{"reason":"occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity","decisions":13},{"reason":"occupational and social impairment noted","decisions":11}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":125},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":75},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":68},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":64},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":60},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":31}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040200","year":2026,"judge":"W. DAKNIS","rationale":"Reduction void ab initio due to failure to address improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.; March 2024 VA examination inadequate; examiner did not address relevant VA treatment records showing ongoing mental health symptoms.; Remanded for new examination to det… [truncated, 29 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040276","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Holistic analysis of listed and unlisted symptoms; Symptoms approximated 70% rating criteria; No symptoms met 100% rating criteria"},{"case_id":"A26040337","year":2026,"judge":"DONNIE R. HACHEY","rationale":"Private psychological evaluation found 70% impairment; Niece's statement corroborates functional impairment and social isolation; Symptoms include suicidal ideation, depression, sleep disturbance, impaired concentration, social withdrawal"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039044","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Veteran's post-service occupational history indicates minimal impairment.; VA examiner found symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational/social functioning or require continuous medication.; Board found VA examiner competent and credible."},{"case_id":"A26038457","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Lack of in-service treatment records for mental health issues.; Significant gap between service and seeking treatment for childhood issues.; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service."},{"case_id":"A26038487","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"No new and relevant evidence submitted after prior final denial.; Lay assertions are not probative evidence for DSM-5 diagnosis.; No competent medical evidence of acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosis."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}