{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/diverticulitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:15.601Z","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":"Diverticulitis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1069,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":28.8,"remanded_pct":58.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":42,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":23.8,"remanded_pct":59.5},{"year":2018,"issues":117,"granted_pct":6,"denied_pct":37.6,"remanded_pct":56.4},{"year":2019,"issues":118,"granted_pct":11,"denied_pct":35.6,"remanded_pct":50.8},{"year":2020,"issues":128,"granted_pct":8.6,"denied_pct":34.4,"remanded_pct":55.5},{"year":2021,"issues":110,"granted_pct":9.1,"denied_pct":26.4,"remanded_pct":62.7},{"year":2022,"issues":114,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":62.3},{"year":2023,"issues":112,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":18.8,"remanded_pct":65.2},{"year":2024,"issues":140,"granted_pct":15,"denied_pct":23.6,"remanded_pct":60},{"year":2025,"issues":143,"granted_pct":11.9,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":55.9},{"year":2026,"issues":55,"granted_pct":23.6,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":49.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":152,"granted_pct_with":43.9,"granted_pct_without":26},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":794,"granted_pct_with":28.5,"granted_pct_without":32.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":185,"granted_pct_with":56,"granted_pct_without":21.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":625,"granted_pct_with":27.1,"granted_pct_without":33.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":321,"granted_pct_with":40.2,"granted_pct_without":22.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":45,"granted_pct_with":56,"granted_pct_without":27.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":849,"granted_pct_with":29,"granted_pct_without":31.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":48,"granted_pct_with":34.6,"granted_pct_without":29}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":21},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":6},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for secondary service connection met","decisions":2},{"reason":"continuity of symptoms from service to present","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":48},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":47},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":37},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":35},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":20},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26035983","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Conceded exposure to mustard gas at Edgewood Arsenal.; VA examiner concluded diverticular disease was due to mustard gas exposure.; Service connection granted as criteria are met."},{"case_id":"26004374","year":2026,"judge":"RYAN T. KESSEL","rationale":"Secondary to panic disorder; Proximately caused by medication; Obesity as intermediate step; Benefit of doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26032207","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Treating physician opinion found diverticulitis at least as likely as not caused by IBS; VA examiner opinion was unclear and contradicted by treating physician; Evidence found in equipoise, applying benefit of doubt"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039966","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Diagnosis occurred over 30 years post-service.; No in-service complaints or evidence of diverticular disease.; VA opinions found less likely than not related to service/exposure.; Evidence persuasively weighs against the claim."},{"case_id":"A26031607","year":2026,"judge":"A. P. SIMPSON","rationale":"No in-service complaints, symptoms, evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment for diverticulitis.; Diagnosis occurred many years after service discharge.; VA medical opinions found no nexus to service-connected irritable bowel syndrome."},{"case_id":"A26027730","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.; No nexus opinion linking diverticulitis to service.; Condition diagnosed post-service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}