{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/bronchial-asthma","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:05.802Z","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":"Bronchial asthma","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":4838,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":47.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":41,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":274,"granted_pct":8.8,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2018,"issues":424,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":52.4},{"year":2019,"issues":530,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":28.9,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2020,"issues":557,"granted_pct":14.4,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":51.3},{"year":2021,"issues":544,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":48.9},{"year":2022,"issues":509,"granted_pct":21.2,"denied_pct":26.1,"remanded_pct":49.1},{"year":2023,"issues":575,"granted_pct":25.9,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":48.7},{"year":2024,"issues":616,"granted_pct":28.2,"denied_pct":24.5,"remanded_pct":44.5},{"year":2025,"issues":710,"granted_pct":27.3,"denied_pct":34.9,"remanded_pct":35.5},{"year":2026,"issues":236,"granted_pct":32.6,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":29.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":63.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":585,"granted_pct_with":63.4,"granted_pct_without":36.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3562,"granted_pct_with":38.8,"granted_pct_without":50.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":774,"granted_pct_with":68.8,"granted_pct_without":33.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2364,"granted_pct_with":42,"granted_pct_without":40},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1472,"granted_pct_with":51.7,"granted_pct_without":35.5},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":341,"granted_pct_with":61.5,"granted_pct_without":38.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":3844,"granted_pct_with":39.6,"granted_pct_without":47.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":144,"granted_pct_with":64.9,"granted_pct_without":40.2},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":235,"granted_pct_with":58.6,"granted_pct_without":40}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":108},{"reason":"presumptive service connection under 38 c.f.r. § 3.320","decisions":23},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":23},{"reason":"presumed exposure to fine particulate matter","decisions":15},{"reason":"pact act presumptive service connection for asthma","decisions":14},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":12}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":124},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":121},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":116},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":99},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":99},{"reason":"pulmonary function tests did not meet criteria for higher rating","decisions":40}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040749","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Negative service treatment records.; Two unfavorable VA opinions.; Diagnosis shortly after service separation.; Credible lay evidence.; Approximate balance of evidence links asthma to service."},{"case_id":"A26040659","year":2026,"judge":"TIFFANY DAWSON","rationale":"Favorable finding of current disability by AOJ; Lay statements of onset in service supported by STRs and commander's notation; VA clinician's opinion supported by probative evidence"},{"case_id":"A26040335","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Asthma rated under DC 6602; FEV-1 predicted at 55 percent post-bronchodilator; Requires daily inhalational bronchodilator therapy"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040692","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"No presumptive link to Camp Lejeune exposure under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(f); VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service; Lack of in-service diagnosis and symptoms onset years after service"},{"case_id":"26005120","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Did not meet criteria for 60% rating; No evidence of monthly physician visits for exacerbations; No evidence of intermittent systemic corticosteroid use; Lay statements not competent for higher evaluation"},{"case_id":"A26040887","year":2026,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"No current diagnosis of asthma; VA examiner diagnosed chronic bronchitis instead; Veteran's lay statements not competent for diagnosis"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}