{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/diseases-of-conjunctiva-keratitis-and-corneal-opacities","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:33.178Z","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":"Diseases of conjunctiva keratitis and corneal opacities","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2057,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":39.1,"remanded_pct":46,"granted_on_merits_pct":25.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":37,"granted_pct":10.8,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":45.9},{"year":2018,"issues":60,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":43.3},{"year":2019,"issues":190,"granted_pct":11.6,"denied_pct":45.3,"remanded_pct":42.1},{"year":2020,"issues":253,"granted_pct":4.7,"denied_pct":43.9,"remanded_pct":47.8},{"year":2021,"issues":271,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":40.2,"remanded_pct":48.3},{"year":2022,"issues":301,"granted_pct":15,"denied_pct":36.2,"remanded_pct":47.8},{"year":2023,"issues":321,"granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":52},{"year":2024,"issues":302,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":51.3},{"year":2025,"issues":302,"granted_pct":26.2,"denied_pct":40.1,"remanded_pct":33.1},{"year":2026,"issues":113,"granted_pct":17.7,"denied_pct":44.2,"remanded_pct":36.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":65.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":264,"granted_pct_with":61.5,"granted_pct_without":18},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1598,"granted_pct_with":24.2,"granted_pct_without":33.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":266,"granted_pct_with":59.8,"granted_pct_without":18.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1179,"granted_pct_with":23.8,"granted_pct_without":29},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":450,"granted_pct_with":31.1,"granted_pct_without":24},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":63,"granted_pct_with":45,"granted_pct_without":25},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1658,"granted_pct_with":23.6,"granted_pct_without":36.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":95,"granted_pct_with":27.1,"granted_pct_without":25.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":39},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":6},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":4},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for 20 percent rating met","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":107},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":78},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":71},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":70},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":62},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":48}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039027","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Reduction from 40% to 30% was proper due to improvement.; Rating was in effect for less than five years, making specific protections inapplicable.; Corrected vision of 20/40 in both eyes does not meet criteria for 10% rating based on visual acuity alone.; At least one incapacitating episode requirin… [truncated, 34 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"26004774","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor; UV radiation identified as cause; VA examiner's statement found probative despite negative opinion"},{"case_id":"A26034584","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Current diagnosis of photophobia; June 2021 VA examiner opinion: at least as likely as not related to service; Veteran reported onset of photophobia after PRK surgery; No competent medical opinion to refute nexus or suggest alternative etiology"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005089","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"No diagnosis of jaundice during service or post-service.; Cataracts and dry eyes diagnosed nearly 40 years after service.; Examiner opined conditions were age-related and not linked to service."},{"case_id":"26004888","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"No competent evidence linking conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, or optic nerve atrophy to service.; VA examiner opinions indicated no nexus to service or service-connected allergic rhinitis.; Conditions manifested after service and were not documented during service."},{"case_id":"A26036397","year":2026,"judge":"LUKE PELICAN","rationale":"No in-service event or injury for reddened sclerae; VA examiner diagnosed other eye conditions, not reddened sclerae; Less likely than not related to hypertension; No studies link reddened sclerae to hypertension; No causal or aggravating link to hypertension found"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}