{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/cataract-extraction","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:56.362Z","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":"Cataract extraction","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1827,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":10.9,"denied_pct":36.9,"remanded_pct":50.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":22.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":180,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":37.8,"remanded_pct":51.1},{"year":2018,"issues":242,"granted_pct":7.4,"denied_pct":39.7,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2019,"issues":243,"granted_pct":7.4,"denied_pct":39.1,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2020,"issues":203,"granted_pct":6.4,"denied_pct":42.4,"remanded_pct":48.8},{"year":2021,"issues":212,"granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":47.2},{"year":2022,"issues":209,"granted_pct":12.4,"denied_pct":31.1,"remanded_pct":55.5},{"year":2023,"issues":209,"granted_pct":14.4,"denied_pct":33.5,"remanded_pct":49.3},{"year":2024,"issues":200,"granted_pct":15,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":47},{"year":2025,"issues":143,"granted_pct":17.5,"denied_pct":37.8,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2026,"issues":48,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":50}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":217,"granted_pct_with":47.1,"granted_pct_without":17.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1300,"granted_pct_with":20.9,"granted_pct_without":32.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":259,"granted_pct_with":57.9,"granted_pct_without":13.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1015,"granted_pct_with":21.4,"granted_pct_without":25.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":485,"granted_pct_with":31.6,"granted_pct_without":18.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":72,"granted_pct_with":37.1,"granted_pct_without":22.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1341,"granted_pct_with":20.1,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":113,"granted_pct_with":29.6,"granted_pct_without":22.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":29},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":21},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":12},{"reason":"criteria for entitlement met","decisions":2},{"reason":"complication of service-connected diabetes mellitus","decisions":2},{"reason":"no contrary evidence of record","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":82},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":82},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":60},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":38},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":30},{"reason":"no nexus to service established","decisions":12}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26004143","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Current diagnosis of right eye cataract; Service-connected sarcoidosis; Evidence in equipoise regarding causation; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26023140","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Favorable findings from AOJ regarding current diagnosis and service-connected diabetes mellitus are binding.; Private and VA treatment records indicate cataracts were associated with diabetes.; VA examiner's negative opinion was inconsistent with treatment records and afforded no probative value."},{"case_id":"26002818","year":2026,"judge":"K.A. KENNERLY","rationale":"Current diagnosis of dry eye syndrome and cataracts; Service connection for CKD with hypertension; VA opinions found aggravation by antihypertensive medications and CKD treatment; Opinions were well-reasoned and persuasive"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005083","year":2026,"judge":"G. A. WASIK","rationale":"STRs do not document cataracts or residuals from in-service left eye injury.; VA ophthalmologists opined less likely than not related to service.; Private orthopedic surgeon's opinion deemed speculative and lacking expertise in ocular diseases."},{"case_id":"A26037625","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"Minimum rating for aphakia met; Left eye nuclear cataract warrants 30% rating; No higher rating warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes"},{"case_id":"A26037258","year":2026,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"No probative medical nexus opinion found; VA examiner found no direct or presumptive service connection; Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}