{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/asthma","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:16.227Z","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":"Asthma","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2199,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":48.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":53.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":73,"granted_pct":6.8,"denied_pct":34.2,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2018,"issues":112,"granted_pct":13.4,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":60.7},{"year":2019,"issues":161,"granted_pct":8.1,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":60.2},{"year":2020,"issues":220,"granted_pct":17.3,"denied_pct":28.2,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2021,"issues":232,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":19.4,"remanded_pct":56.9},{"year":2022,"issues":288,"granted_pct":31.6,"denied_pct":18.1,"remanded_pct":46.2},{"year":2023,"issues":296,"granted_pct":27,"denied_pct":22.3,"remanded_pct":47},{"year":2024,"issues":332,"granted_pct":39.2,"denied_pct":19,"remanded_pct":38.9},{"year":2025,"issues":408,"granted_pct":30.6,"denied_pct":27.5,"remanded_pct":40.4},{"year":2026,"issues":137,"granted_pct":38.7,"denied_pct":19,"remanded_pct":40.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":57.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":351,"granted_pct_with":76,"granted_pct_without":48.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1694,"granted_pct_with":50.1,"granted_pct_without":71.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":384,"granted_pct_with":78.3,"granted_pct_without":48.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1135,"granted_pct_with":51.4,"granted_pct_without":56},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":673,"granted_pct_with":60.3,"granted_pct_without":50.9},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":170,"granted_pct_with":72,"granted_pct_without":51.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1768,"granted_pct_with":49.6,"granted_pct_without":70},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":64,"granted_pct_with":69.2,"granted_pct_without":53.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":151,"granted_pct_with":75.3,"granted_pct_without":52.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":87},{"reason":"presumptive service connection under 38 c.f.r. § 3.320","decisions":22},{"reason":"veteran served in southwest asia during persian gulf war","decisions":17},{"reason":"pact act presumptive service connection for asthma","decisions":11},{"reason":"service in southwest asia theater of operations","decisions":10},{"reason":"qualifying service in southwest asia theater of operations","decisions":10}],"denied":[{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":38},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":37},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":34},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":34},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":18},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039869","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN R. DOOLITTLE, II","rationale":"Asthma rated under DC 6602; Requires intermittent inhalational use; Does not require daily therapy or anti-inflammatory medication; Pulmonary function tests do not meet criteria for higher rating"},{"case_id":"A26040093","year":2026,"judge":"H. SEESEL","rationale":"Aggravated by service; Presumptive under 38 C.F.R. § 3.320; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"26004986","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"March 2024 VA DBQ with positive nexus opinion; August 2025 non-VA medical opinion relating asthma to in-service TERA; Benefit of the doubt doctrine applied due to approximately balanced evidence"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040906","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Pulmonary function tests (FEV-1 85% predicted, FEV-1/FVC 78% predicted) did not meet criteria for higher rating.; Asthma evaluated at 10% under DC 6602.; No evidence of daily bronchodilator or anti-inflammatory medication use, or frequent corticosteroid bursts."},{"case_id":"A26038966","year":2026,"judge":"S. CHARLES NEILL","rationale":"Did not meet criteria for higher rating (60% or more); No monthly physician visits for exacerbations; No systemic corticosteroid use; PFT results did not meet threshold"},{"case_id":"A26038181","year":2026,"judge":"JENNA BRANT","rationale":"Clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing asthma; No evidence of in-service aggravation; Conflicting statements diminished credibility regarding asthma treatment"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}