{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/bladder-disease","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:35.698Z","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":"Bladder disease","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1108,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":57.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":30.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":70,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":51.4},{"year":2018,"issues":152,"granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":30.3,"remanded_pct":46.7},{"year":2019,"issues":144,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":31.3,"remanded_pct":51.4},{"year":2020,"issues":117,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":28.2,"remanded_pct":59},{"year":2021,"issues":119,"granted_pct":8.4,"denied_pct":26.9,"remanded_pct":62.2},{"year":2022,"issues":131,"granted_pct":7.6,"denied_pct":22.1,"remanded_pct":68.7},{"year":2023,"issues":149,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":23.5,"remanded_pct":67.1},{"year":2024,"issues":112,"granted_pct":11.6,"denied_pct":25.9,"remanded_pct":58.9},{"year":2025,"issues":103,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":29.1,"remanded_pct":51.5},{"year":2026,"issues":33,"granted_pct":9.1,"denied_pct":36.4,"remanded_pct":51.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":96,"granted_pct_with":62.9,"granted_pct_without":25.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":716,"granted_pct_with":25.8,"granted_pct_without":46.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":122,"granted_pct_with":71.4,"granted_pct_without":22.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":525,"granted_pct_with":26.3,"granted_pct_without":36.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":302,"granted_pct_with":44.6,"granted_pct_without":23.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":53,"granted_pct_with":75,"granted_pct_without":27.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":814,"granted_pct_with":27.8,"granted_pct_without":41.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":43,"granted_pct_with":7.7,"granted_pct_without":31.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":19},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":4},{"reason":"new and material evidence submitted to reopen claim","decisions":3},{"reason":"diagnosis of bladder cancer","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":39},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":30},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":27},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":22},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":16},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26001459","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Credible testimony corroborated by subsequent VA treatment records; Benefit of the doubt applied; 60 percent rating warranted for bladder dysfunction"},{"case_id":"26001291","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Evidence in approximate balance; Benefit of the doubt afforded; Aggravated by service-connected chronic urinary incontinence"},{"case_id":"A26001764","year":2026,"judge":"MARIAH N. SIM","rationale":"100% rating warranted for active bladder cancer and six months post-surgery.; 10% rating for mild voiding dysfunction supported by contemporaneous records.; Higher ratings denied due to lack of severe symptoms or need for absorbent materials."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005096","year":2026,"judge":"S. HENEKS","rationale":"No evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation; No nexus to service or claimed exposures; Bladder disorder did not originate in service, within a year of service, or is not otherwise etiologically related to active service"},{"case_id":"A26041018","year":2026,"judge":"D. JOHNSON","rationale":"No complaints or treatment for overactive bladder in service records.; Post-service records and VA examination were negative or inconsistent with claim.; Veteran's lay testimony found not credible due to internal inconsistencies."},{"case_id":"A26036866","year":2026,"judge":"L. HOWELL","rationale":"Current disorder shown (overactive bladder); No in-service incurrence or complaints found in STRs; VA examiner opined less likely than not caused by TERAs"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}