{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/elbow-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:03.549Z","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":"Elbow impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":5553,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":15.1,"denied_pct":34,"remanded_pct":52.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":30.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":330,"granted_pct":10.9,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":51.5},{"year":2018,"issues":586,"granted_pct":9,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2019,"issues":749,"granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":34.8,"remanded_pct":55.1},{"year":2020,"issues":819,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":39.4,"remanded_pct":46.8},{"year":2021,"issues":831,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":34.2,"remanded_pct":54},{"year":2022,"issues":844,"granted_pct":11.7,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":56.5},{"year":2023,"issues":925,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":33,"remanded_pct":52.6},{"year":2024,"issues":931,"granted_pct":14.9,"denied_pct":31.6,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2025,"issues":1093,"granted_pct":19.9,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2026,"issues":403,"granted_pct":25.6,"denied_pct":37,"remanded_pct":36.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":536,"granted_pct_with":54.8,"granted_pct_without":26.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":4089,"granted_pct_with":29.5,"granted_pct_without":36.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":678,"granted_pct_with":65.4,"granted_pct_without":23.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2624,"granted_pct_with":30.3,"granted_pct_without":31.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1343,"granted_pct_with":40.3,"granted_pct_without":26.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":206,"granted_pct_with":47.5,"granted_pct_without":30},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":4522,"granted_pct_with":30.9,"granted_pct_without":29.6},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":204,"granted_pct_with":49.5,"granted_pct_without":30.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":366,"granted_pct_with":44.9,"granted_pct_without":29.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":114},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":19},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":18},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":16},{"reason":"evidence evenly balanced","decisions":15},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":9}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":238},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":190},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":176},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":154},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":149},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":90}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040566","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"Evidence found to be in equipoise regarding sustained improvement.; Reduction from 20% to 10% deemed improper.; Restoration of 20% rating granted."},{"case_id":"A26040116","year":2026,"judge":"T. MAINELLI","rationale":"In-service onset of pain and tingling in left elbow.; Symptoms consistent with current diagnosis of left elbow strain.; Combat veteran presumption applied."},{"case_id":"A26039952","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"In-service injury documented: left forearm pain and bump by Humvee in 2003.; Lay statements from Veteran and wife corroborate persistent symptoms and limitations.; Private medical opinion found it more likely than not that chronic elbow pain, medial epicondylitis, and tendonitis were caused by servi… [truncated, 3 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005056","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Maximum schedular rating for DC 5215 is 10 percent.; Record does not show ankylosis of the wrist.; Record does not show additional surgery during the period on appeal."},{"case_id":"A26040006","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"No credible nexus to service; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service; Lack of continuity of symptomatology"},{"case_id":"A26040252","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Veteran seeks rating in excess of 30 percent.; Condition evaluated under DC 5213 for limitation of pronation.; Higher evaluation requires bone fusion, which is not present.; 30 percent is maximum available evaluation for pronation limitation."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}