{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/bronchitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:06.952Z","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":"Bronchitis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":563,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":7.3,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":60.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":19.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":32,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":28.1,"remanded_pct":71.9},{"year":2018,"issues":41,"granted_pct":2.4,"denied_pct":26.8,"remanded_pct":61},{"year":2019,"issues":52,"granted_pct":5.8,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":55.8},{"year":2020,"issues":86,"granted_pct":4.7,"denied_pct":41.9,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2021,"issues":50,"granted_pct":4,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2022,"issues":67,"granted_pct":6,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":67.2},{"year":2023,"issues":59,"granted_pct":10.2,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":62.7},{"year":2024,"issues":64,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":65.6},{"year":2025,"issues":94,"granted_pct":11.7,"denied_pct":25.5,"remanded_pct":62.8},{"year":2026,"issues":27,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":44.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":80.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":69,"granted_pct_with":36.4,"granted_pct_without":15.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":450,"granted_pct_with":19.4,"granted_pct_without":17.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":82,"granted_pct_with":48.4,"granted_pct_without":14.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":322,"granted_pct_with":21.1,"granted_pct_without":16.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":166,"granted_pct_with":29.1,"granted_pct_without":15.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":470,"granted_pct_with":18.9,"granted_pct_without":20}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":12},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":8},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":5}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26028758","year":2026,"judge":"J. ABRAMS","rationale":"Evidence supports 60 percent rating through December 26, 2023.; December 2023 PFT results met criteria for 60 percent rating.; Subsequent periods did not meet criteria for higher ratings."},{"case_id":"A26021976","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"September 2024 post-bronchodilator FEV-1 of 68 percent predicted; Continuing reports of shortness of breath; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26018469","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"Requires outpatient oxygen therapy; Warranted change from DC 6602 to DC 6600; Supported by VA treatment records, private provider notes, and VA examiner opinions"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038466","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis found in the record.; Evidence persuasively weighs against finding chronic bronchitis.; Veteran's reported symptoms attributed to COPD and asthma."},{"case_id":"A26028758","year":2026,"judge":"J. ABRAMS","rationale":"December 2023 PFT results did not meet criteria for 10 percent rating.; Veteran did not meet criteria for daily bronchodilator use or frequent corticosteroid use.; Evidence did not support higher rating for this period."},{"case_id":"A26028818","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"In-service treatment for bronchitis documented; Current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD; Most probative medical opinion links chronic condition to smoking history; In-service bronchitis resolved and not related to current chronic condition"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}