{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:17.810Z","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":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":13254,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11.9,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":52.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":25.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":1015,"granted_pct":5.1,"denied_pct":45.8,"remanded_pct":44},{"year":2018,"issues":1549,"granted_pct":7.9,"denied_pct":39,"remanded_pct":49.7},{"year":2019,"issues":1599,"granted_pct":8.4,"denied_pct":36.3,"remanded_pct":53.5},{"year":2020,"issues":1617,"granted_pct":8,"denied_pct":37.7,"remanded_pct":52.6},{"year":2021,"issues":1512,"granted_pct":10.3,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2022,"issues":1483,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":57},{"year":2023,"issues":1457,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":24.7,"remanded_pct":59.9},{"year":2024,"issues":1255,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2025,"issues":1448,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":48.2},{"year":2026,"issues":555,"granted_pct":21.6,"denied_pct":33.7,"remanded_pct":42.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1333,"granted_pct_with":53.7,"granted_pct_without":21.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":9865,"granted_pct_with":23.6,"granted_pct_without":38.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1989,"granted_pct_with":61.3,"granted_pct_without":16.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":7617,"granted_pct_with":22.5,"granted_pct_without":32.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":4180,"granted_pct_with":35.6,"granted_pct_without":20.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":813,"granted_pct_with":47.2,"granted_pct_without":24},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":10409,"granted_pct_with":22.8,"granted_pct_without":43.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":337,"granted_pct_with":33.8,"granted_pct_without":25.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":795,"granted_pct_with":26.8,"granted_pct_without":25.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":234},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":28},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":24},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":21},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":18},{"reason":"pact act presumptive service connection","decisions":14}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":704},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":667},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":427},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":420},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":276},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":162}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039871","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor; At least as likely as not related to in-service toxic exposures"},{"case_id":"A26040164","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Veteran has current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis; In-service treatment for bronchitis and pneumonia; Private medical opinion links condition to service; Evidence in approximate balance, doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040327","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Favorable finding of COPD diagnosis; Presumptive service connection under PACT Act for Persian Gulf service; Minimal asbestos exposure conceded based on MOS; Adequate private medical opinion supporting direct service connection"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040611","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"Private opinion lacked probative value; Private opinion failed to address smoking history; VA examiner opinion found less likelihood of service connection; Opinion based on lack of evidence linking TERA and smoking history; Veteran has extensive smoking history"},{"case_id":"26005089","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"Service records silent for COPD/bronchitis; noted chest pain diagnosed as muscle spasm/acid reflux.; Multiple VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions, citing smoking as primary cause.; Veteran's claims of in-service onset and diagnosis found not credible."},{"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"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}