{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/bone-malunion-or-nonunion","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:10.045Z","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":"Bone malunion or nonunion","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":613,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":16.3,"denied_pct":35.6,"remanded_pct":48,"granted_on_merits_pct":31.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":40,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":42.5,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2018,"issues":102,"granted_pct":13.7,"denied_pct":44.1,"remanded_pct":40.2},{"year":2019,"issues":92,"granted_pct":13,"denied_pct":46.7,"remanded_pct":39.1},{"year":2020,"issues":76,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":40.8,"remanded_pct":31.6},{"year":2021,"issues":74,"granted_pct":9.5,"denied_pct":20.3,"remanded_pct":68.9},{"year":2022,"issues":72,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":20.8,"remanded_pct":62.5},{"year":2023,"issues":78,"granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":29.5,"remanded_pct":59},{"year":2024,"issues":82,"granted_pct":22,"denied_pct":19.5,"remanded_pct":58.5},{"year":2025,"issues":67,"granted_pct":13.4,"denied_pct":44.8,"remanded_pct":41.8},{"year":2026,"issues":37,"granted_pct":27,"denied_pct":27,"remanded_pct":37.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":71,"granted_pct_with":43.9,"granted_pct_without":28.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":417,"granted_pct_with":28,"granted_pct_without":41.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":81,"granted_pct_with":57.6,"granted_pct_without":24.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":267,"granted_pct_with":29.8,"granted_pct_without":33.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":166,"granted_pct_with":46,"granted_pct_without":24.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":472,"granted_pct_with":31.3,"granted_pct_without":32.2},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":57,"granted_pct_with":46.9,"granted_pct_without":29.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":14},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":2},{"reason":"criteria for 30% rating met","decisions":2},{"reason":"unavailable service treatment records","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":23},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":16},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":14},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":13},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":12},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26024577","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Favorable finding of current disability (pain) by AOJ; Credible lay testimony regarding in-service genesis and continuity of symptoms; Inadequate VA opinion failing to consider lay evidence and pain as disability"},{"case_id":"A26019881","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Evidence supports moderately severe muscle disability under DC 5303; Presence of metallic foreign bodies and objective findings of weakness and tenderness; Functional limitations impacting work requirements and daily activities"},{"case_id":"A26020103","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. PAPPAS","rationale":"Competent, credible lay testimony of shin splints during service and continuity post-service.; RO accepted in-service diagnosis of bilateral shin splints.; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26004631","year":2026,"judge":"C. CRAWFORD","rationale":"Injury not incurred in line of duty; Willful misconduct found; Reckless handling of firearm; Alcohol influence noted; Contemporaneous evidence supports misconduct"},{"case_id":"A26027499","year":2026,"judge":"RAY BARTO SLABBEKORN, JR.","rationale":"No objective medical evidence of diagnosis; No evidence of treatment for the condition; Lack of evidence for the first element of service connection"},{"case_id":"A26018676","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Failure to report for necessary VA examination; Criteria for rating in excess of 30 percent not met; No evidence of complete ligament tear or patellar instability"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}