{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/benign-neoplasms-of-the-digestive-system","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:26.704Z","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":"Benign neoplasms of the digestive system","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":681,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11.2,"denied_pct":54.5,"remanded_pct":33.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":17,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":59,"granted_pct":10.2,"denied_pct":57.6,"remanded_pct":30.5},{"year":2018,"issues":74,"granted_pct":8.1,"denied_pct":54.1,"remanded_pct":35.1},{"year":2019,"issues":68,"granted_pct":7.4,"denied_pct":58.8,"remanded_pct":30.9},{"year":2020,"issues":75,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":61.3,"remanded_pct":30.7},{"year":2021,"issues":83,"granted_pct":7.2,"denied_pct":65.1,"remanded_pct":25.3},{"year":2022,"issues":80,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":41.3,"remanded_pct":46.3},{"year":2023,"issues":84,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":48.8,"remanded_pct":36.9},{"year":2024,"issues":63,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":44.4},{"year":2025,"issues":87,"granted_pct":16.1,"denied_pct":48.3,"remanded_pct":33.3},{"year":2026,"issues":37,"granted_pct":10.8,"denied_pct":70.3,"remanded_pct":16.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":78.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":87,"granted_pct_with":36.1,"granted_pct_without":13.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":521,"granted_pct_with":16,"granted_pct_without":22.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":105,"granted_pct_with":48.3,"granted_pct_without":9.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":415,"granted_pct_with":14,"granted_pct_without":23},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":204,"granted_pct_with":27.8,"granted_pct_without":11.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":555,"granted_pct_with":14.1,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":41,"granted_pct_with":16.1,"granted_pct_without":17.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16},{"reason":"new and material evidence received","decisions":3},{"reason":"new and relevant evidence submitted","decisions":2},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":2},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":50},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":41},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":41},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":27},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":18}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26032841","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"Medical opinions from Dr. D.M. and Dr. J.W.C., Jr. found link to radiation and toxic exposures.; Dr. D.M. referenced studies correlating granulomas with geographic location and occupation.; Dr. D.M. associated exposures in San Diego and Connecticut with granuloma formation."},{"case_id":"A26032528","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"Veteran alleges in-service exposure to TCE.; Private medical opinion linked teratoma to TCE exposure.; VA opinions were not probative.; Board resolved doubt in favor of Veteran."},{"case_id":"26001002","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"Current disability established by Court reversal; In-service treatment documented; Approximate balance standard invoked; Benefit of the doubt conceded nexus"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039543","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"VA examiner found disorder less likely than not related to TERA.; No chemical exposure risk factors identified for the tumor.; Service records normal at separation; no relevant notations."},{"case_id":"A26038542","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"No evidence of functional impairment; No evidence of impact on work; Surgery did not warrant higher rating"},{"case_id":"A26037278","year":2026,"judge":"J. JACK","rationale":"Did not meet criteria for compensable rating; Lacked specific symptoms for higher rating; Persuasive evidence against compensable rating"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}