{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/benign-skin-neoplasms","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:15.453Z","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 skin neoplasms","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":855,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":37.2,"remanded_pct":48.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":24.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":74,"granted_pct":5.4,"denied_pct":39.2,"remanded_pct":45.9},{"year":2018,"issues":101,"granted_pct":8.9,"denied_pct":36.6,"remanded_pct":47.5},{"year":2019,"issues":108,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":42.6,"remanded_pct":46.3},{"year":2020,"issues":114,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":45.6,"remanded_pct":41.2},{"year":2021,"issues":96,"granted_pct":10.4,"denied_pct":38.5,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2022,"issues":112,"granted_pct":9.8,"denied_pct":31.3,"remanded_pct":58},{"year":2023,"issues":91,"granted_pct":17.6,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":49.5},{"year":2024,"issues":87,"granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":28.7,"remanded_pct":59.8},{"year":2025,"issues":96,"granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":38.5,"remanded_pct":40.6},{"year":2026,"issues":30,"granted_pct":30,"denied_pct":23.3,"remanded_pct":43.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":97,"granted_pct_with":47.7,"granted_pct_without":20.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":604,"granted_pct_with":20.6,"granted_pct_without":39.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":103,"granted_pct_with":43.1,"granted_pct_without":20.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":444,"granted_pct_with":21.1,"granted_pct_without":29.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":208,"granted_pct_with":33.1,"granted_pct_without":21.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":660,"granted_pct_with":21.9,"granted_pct_without":35.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":70,"granted_pct_with":25,"granted_pct_without":24.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":2},{"reason":"predominant disability is benign skin neoplasms","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":35},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":33},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":29},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":23},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":19},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005121","year":2026,"judge":"M. TENNER","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected morbid obesity; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102 criteria met"},{"case_id":"A26035983","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Conceded exposure to herbicide agents, mustard gas, and ionizing radiation at Edgewood Arsenal.; VA examiner concluded skin conditions were due to exposure to mustard gas.; Service connection granted as criteria are met."},{"case_id":"26004430","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"VA examiner's opinion found to be of low probative value; Did not adequately address veteran's service history or lay statements; Applied a higher standard than benefit of the doubt; Examiner conceded possibility of inflammation affecting lipoma"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26004089","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"No evidence of right leg cyst in service; No evidence of current right leg cyst; Evidence points to left leg cyst"},{"case_id":"A26028791","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"No credible evidence of in-service sebaceous cyst"},{"case_id":"26002953","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for lipoma; VA opinions found lipoma cause unknown and unrelated to toxic exposures; Service separation exams found no tumors/growths"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}