{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/costochondritis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:53.682Z","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":"Costochondritis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":767,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":18.3,"denied_pct":32.9,"remanded_pct":47.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":35.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":58,"granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":37.9,"remanded_pct":46.6},{"year":2018,"issues":77,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":36.4,"remanded_pct":45.5},{"year":2019,"issues":97,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2020,"issues":92,"granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":32.6,"remanded_pct":42.4},{"year":2021,"issues":76,"granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":30.3,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2022,"issues":60,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":48.3},{"year":2023,"issues":92,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":56.5},{"year":2024,"issues":92,"granted_pct":10.9,"denied_pct":35.9,"remanded_pct":51.1},{"year":2025,"issues":94,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":41.5,"remanded_pct":36.2},{"year":2026,"issues":41,"granted_pct":26.8,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":41.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":95,"granted_pct_with":68.1,"granted_pct_without":28.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":554,"granted_pct_with":33.2,"granted_pct_without":46.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":104,"granted_pct_with":65.6,"granted_pct_without":29.9},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":362,"granted_pct_with":33.7,"granted_pct_without":38},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":225,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":31.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":609,"granted_pct_with":35.2,"granted_pct_without":38.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":19},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":3},{"reason":"in-service diagnosis of costochondritis","decisions":3},{"reason":"began during active service","decisions":2},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":42},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":22},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":21},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":11},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":11},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":10}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038316","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"Current diagnosis of costochondritis; In-service events: TERAs, heavy armor, weights; Private opinion linking costochondritis to deployment activities; Evidence in relative equipoise, doubt resolved in veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26037304","year":2026,"judge":"JENNA BRANT","rationale":"Evidence in approximate balance.; Veteran competent to relate observations of costochondritis.; Benefit of the doubt applied to grant claim."},{"case_id":"A26032431","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL LANE","rationale":"Favorable findings on current disability and in-service injury (chest wall pain).; Conflicting medical opinions on nexus: two negative, one positive.; Positive opinion based on recurrent chest wall pain and service demands.; Veteran found credible regarding recurrent chest wall pain since 1999.; Evi… [truncated, 60 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26034215","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"No current diagnosis or symptoms causing functional impairment; Evidence persuasively against the claim; Benefit of doubt not applicable"},{"case_id":"A26033759","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"Evidence does not support moderately severe or severe muscle disability; No objective loss of strength or function noted; No muscle atrophy, fascial defects, or ankylosis present"},{"case_id":"A26032128","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"No rib removal or resection documented; Minimum compensable rating under DC 5297 is 10 percent; Private examiner concurred with existing 10 percent rating"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}