{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/atrial-fibrillation-or-atrial-flutter","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:21.278Z","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":"Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1336,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":25.8,"remanded_pct":52.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":44,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":62,"granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":38.7,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2018,"issues":127,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":48},{"year":2019,"issues":164,"granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":20.7,"remanded_pct":62.8},{"year":2020,"issues":151,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":25.2,"remanded_pct":60.3},{"year":2021,"issues":136,"granted_pct":19.1,"denied_pct":28.7,"remanded_pct":50.7},{"year":2022,"issues":159,"granted_pct":20.8,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":49.7},{"year":2023,"issues":172,"granted_pct":21.5,"denied_pct":20.3,"remanded_pct":55.2},{"year":2024,"issues":142,"granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":22.5,"remanded_pct":54.9},{"year":2025,"issues":168,"granted_pct":31,"denied_pct":22.6,"remanded_pct":45.8},{"year":2026,"issues":62,"granted_pct":29,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":35.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":80.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":139,"granted_pct_with":71,"granted_pct_without":38.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":940,"granted_pct_with":41.5,"granted_pct_without":53},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":269,"granted_pct_with":79.6,"granted_pct_without":27.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":730,"granted_pct_with":42.2,"granted_pct_without":46.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":532,"granted_pct_with":58.9,"granted_pct_without":29.5},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":98,"granted_pct_with":68.3,"granted_pct_without":41.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":880,"granted_pct_with":34.6,"granted_pct_without":69.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":93,"granted_pct_with":60.4,"granted_pct_without":42.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":43},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":36},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":15},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"hypertension is service-connected","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":64},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":44},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":35},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":33},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":14}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038368","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Diagnosed with atrial fibrillation; VA examiner opined condition most likely due to ischemic heart disease/CAD; Proximately due to service-connected ischemic heart disease"},{"case_id":"A26036667","year":2026,"judge":"PAULETTE VANCE BURTON","rationale":"Board is bound by favorable AOJ decision; Criteria for service connection met"},{"case_id":"A26035565","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Private medical opinion found condition at least as likely as not related to service; Opinion was well-reasoned, detailed, and consistent with Veteran's history; Reasonable doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26032189","year":2026,"judge":"L.M. YASUI","rationale":"No cardiac complaints or treatment in service treatment records.; Separation examination normal for cardiac issues.; No evidence of in-service onset or nexus to service."},{"case_id":"26004161","year":2026,"judge":"YVETTE R. WHITE","rationale":"No competent evidence of herbicide exposure during service.; Lay statements regarding exposure lacked probative value.; In-service murmur deemed functional, not organic heart disease.; Post-service risk factors (age, hypertension, sleep apnea, family history) outweigh service connection.; VA medical… [truncated, 56 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26027771","year":2026,"judge":"C.A. SKOW","rationale":"No diagnosis of atrial fibrillation during service.; Chest pain in service assessed as musculoskeletal; cardiac testing normal.; Veteran's testimony of continued chest pain since service found less credible due to inconsistencies with medical records.; More persuasive evidence weighs against claim."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}