{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/arthritis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:30:05.374Z","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":"Arthritis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1005,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":29.8,"remanded_pct":51.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":38,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":77,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":62.3},{"year":2018,"issues":112,"granted_pct":11.6,"denied_pct":34.8,"remanded_pct":50.9},{"year":2019,"issues":141,"granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":37.6,"remanded_pct":51.8},{"year":2020,"issues":215,"granted_pct":15.8,"denied_pct":31.6,"remanded_pct":51.6},{"year":2021,"issues":155,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":32.3,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2022,"issues":112,"granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":27.7,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2023,"issues":182,"granted_pct":15.4,"denied_pct":26.9,"remanded_pct":54.4},{"year":2024,"issues":162,"granted_pct":25.3,"denied_pct":24.7,"remanded_pct":48.8},{"year":2025,"issues":129,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":20.2,"remanded_pct":57.4},{"year":2026,"issues":52,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":19.2,"remanded_pct":53.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":116,"granted_pct_with":65.8,"granted_pct_without":32.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":733,"granted_pct_with":38.1,"granted_pct_without":37.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":132,"granted_pct_with":64.6,"granted_pct_without":32.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":497,"granted_pct_with":37.9,"granted_pct_without":38.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":275,"granted_pct_with":44.8,"granted_pct_without":35.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":55,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":37.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":819,"granted_pct_with":37.8,"granted_pct_without":39},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":64,"granted_pct_with":60,"granted_pct_without":36.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":26},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":14},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"resolving all doubt in favor of the veteran","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":39},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":37},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":32},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":21},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":14}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26004771","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"In-service complaints documented; Prognostic opinion from April 2022; Nexus established"},{"case_id":"A26033219","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability; Private medical opinion found probative; At least as likely as not caused by cervical spine disability"},{"case_id":"26004345","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Service connection for right hand arthritis is warranted.; Evidence supports finding that right hand arthritis is part of reactive arthritis with onset during service.; Favorable opinions from treating rheumatologist and VA examiners given greater weight."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26032700","year":2026,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"No in-service diagnosis or presumptive manifestation; No continuity of symptomatology established; No nexus to in-service injury or event"},{"case_id":"A26024723","year":2026,"judge":"EMILY TAMLYN","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighs against claim; No in-service complaints or diagnoses; Minimal probative value of lay assertions; Lack of corroborating evidence"},{"case_id":"A26023073","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN V. ADLER","rationale":"Lack of in-service treatment; Late diagnosis; VA examiner opinion: less likely than not service-related"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}