{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/diseases-of-keratinization","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:23.022Z","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 keratinization","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1069,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11.4,"denied_pct":38.3,"remanded_pct":49.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":23,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":50,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":46,"remanded_pct":40},{"year":2018,"issues":86,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":27.9,"remanded_pct":61.6},{"year":2019,"issues":151,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":38.4,"remanded_pct":47.7},{"year":2020,"issues":122,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":43.4,"remanded_pct":45.1},{"year":2021,"issues":137,"granted_pct":5.8,"denied_pct":38.7,"remanded_pct":51.8},{"year":2022,"issues":133,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":54.1},{"year":2023,"issues":136,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":60.3},{"year":2024,"issues":121,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":42.1,"remanded_pct":43.8},{"year":2025,"issues":137,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":43.8,"remanded_pct":40.9},{"year":2026,"issues":53,"granted_pct":18.9,"denied_pct":47.2,"remanded_pct":30.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":63.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":131,"granted_pct_with":39.8,"granted_pct_without":19.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":752,"granted_pct_with":22.9,"granted_pct_without":23.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":138,"granted_pct_with":46,"granted_pct_without":18.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":518,"granted_pct_with":20.3,"granted_pct_without":26.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":266,"granted_pct_with":35.6,"granted_pct_without":18.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":854,"granted_pct_with":22.7,"granted_pct_without":24.2},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":90,"granted_pct_with":27.5,"granted_pct_without":22.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":7},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2},{"reason":"granted service connection","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":49},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":46},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":33},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":32},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":28},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":25}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005121","year":2026,"judge":"M. TENNER","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected morbid obesity; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102 criteria met"},{"case_id":"A26031276","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Evidence evenly balanced; Benefit of doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26023520","year":2026,"judge":"H.M. WALKER","rationale":"Private physician nexus opinion; Medical literature supports TCE-Caused alopecia; Disregarded conflicting VA C&P opinion"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040801","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of a skin disability.; No private or VA medical records showing diagnosis or treatment.; VA examiner opined Veteran did not have a skin disability."},{"case_id":"A26037305","year":2026,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"No current diagnosis of blisters of bilateral feet; No competent evidence of blisters of bilateral feet; Veteran conceded resolution of complaint; Post-service medical records contain no diagnosis or treatment"},{"case_id":"A26032534","year":2026,"judge":"SCOTT W. DALE","rationale":"December 2024 VA exam noted xerosis cutis affecting less than 5% of body/exposed areas.; Veteran reported symptoms requiring prescription topical treatments, but this was not corroborated.; No VA or private treatment records documented prescribed medications for xerosis cutis."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}