{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/corneal-disease-including-scars-opacities","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:21.549Z","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":"Corneal disease including scars opacities","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1438,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":39.4,"remanded_pct":45.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":27.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":49,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":38.8,"remanded_pct":44.9},{"year":2018,"issues":93,"granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":32.3,"remanded_pct":47.3},{"year":2019,"issues":149,"granted_pct":10.7,"denied_pct":42.3,"remanded_pct":47},{"year":2020,"issues":196,"granted_pct":10.2,"denied_pct":45.9,"remanded_pct":42.9},{"year":2021,"issues":189,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":39.2,"remanded_pct":41.8},{"year":2022,"issues":207,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":47.3},{"year":2023,"issues":193,"granted_pct":10.4,"denied_pct":43.5,"remanded_pct":45.1},{"year":2024,"issues":193,"granted_pct":15,"denied_pct":35.8,"remanded_pct":48.7},{"year":2025,"issues":160,"granted_pct":21.9,"denied_pct":38.1,"remanded_pct":40},{"year":2026,"issues":78,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":50}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":205,"granted_pct_with":58.8,"granted_pct_without":19.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1128,"granted_pct_with":23.9,"granted_pct_without":46.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":219,"granted_pct_with":58.3,"granted_pct_without":19.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":821,"granted_pct_with":22.5,"granted_pct_without":36},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":395,"granted_pct_with":33.3,"granted_pct_without":24.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":48,"granted_pct_with":29.2,"granted_pct_without":27},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1173,"granted_pct_with":25.4,"granted_pct_without":37.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":67,"granted_pct_with":33.3,"granted_pct_without":26.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":33},{"reason":"in-service injury documented","decisions":5},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":2},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":2},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":54},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":50},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":48},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":36},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":29},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":23}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040565","year":2026,"judge":"J. B. FREEMAN","rationale":"In-service corneal scratches reported; Diagnosis of bilateral corneal scars; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"26005101","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Condition noted on entrance examination; Residuals of redness/dryness noted post-surgery during service; VA treatment notes confirm ongoing need for eye drops; Evidence persuasively links symptom to active-duty service"},{"case_id":"A26041007","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"Related to in-service LASIK surgery; Resolving doubt in veteran's favor; Favorable VA examination opinion"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037399","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Current diagnosis of dry eye syndrome established.; In-service exposures (environmental, herbicide, TERA) conceded.; Two VA examiners opined less likely than not related to service.; Natural aging cited as more likely etiology.; Weight of probative medical evidence against nexus."},{"case_id":"A26034819","year":2026,"judge":"G. A. WASIK","rationale":"No evidence of current diagnosis; Criteria for service connection not met"},{"case_id":"A26033256","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"Original grant based on erroneous factual finding of current diagnosis; Examinations indicated no current corneal abrasion residuals; Cataract diagnosis is a separate condition, not the claimed abrasion"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}