{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/eye-impairment-of-muscles","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:30.017Z","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":"Eye impairment of muscles","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3743,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":8.6,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":56.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":20.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":429,"granted_pct":7.2,"denied_pct":37.5,"remanded_pct":48.7},{"year":2018,"issues":681,"granted_pct":5.1,"denied_pct":38.9,"remanded_pct":52},{"year":2019,"issues":552,"granted_pct":7.2,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":58.3},{"year":2020,"issues":393,"granted_pct":7.9,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":59.5},{"year":2021,"issues":417,"granted_pct":9.8,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":55.6},{"year":2022,"issues":424,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":61.6},{"year":2023,"issues":399,"granted_pct":6.8,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":64.7},{"year":2024,"issues":299,"granted_pct":7.7,"denied_pct":33.1,"remanded_pct":57.5},{"year":2025,"issues":226,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":45.1},{"year":2026,"issues":102,"granted_pct":19.6,"denied_pct":38.2,"remanded_pct":41.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":64.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":347,"granted_pct_with":48.1,"granted_pct_without":15.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2557,"granted_pct_with":18.9,"granted_pct_without":26.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":392,"granted_pct_with":47.7,"granted_pct_without":15.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1854,"granted_pct_with":16.7,"granted_pct_without":25.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":862,"granted_pct_with":24.3,"granted_pct_without":18.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":122,"granted_pct_with":37.5,"granted_pct_without":19.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2919,"granted_pct_with":19.2,"granted_pct_without":27.2},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":71,"granted_pct_with":24,"granted_pct_without":20.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":185,"granted_pct_with":25.6,"granted_pct_without":20}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":45},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":15},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":7},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":4},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":3},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":149},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":115},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":107},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":78},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":70},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":53}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038422","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"AOJ conceded current disability and in-service occurrence.; VA examination deemed inadequate due to inaccurate history and irrelevant characterization.; Evidence found in approximate balance, warranting benefit of the doubt."},{"case_id":"A26037672","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"Bilateral dry eye syndrome requires treatment with artificial tears.; Diagnostic Code 6025 contemplates disorders of the lacrimal apparatus.; Rated by analogy under Diagnostic Codes 6099-6025."},{"case_id":"A26036387","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Service connection granted as secondary to service-connected right eye disability; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence; AOJ conceded current diagnoses of left eye pseudophakia, chorioretinal scarring, and dry eye syndrome"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039787","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Service connection for primary condition (diabetes mellitus) denied; Cannot establish secondary condition without primary condition service connection"},{"case_id":"A26037625","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"No visual impairment or incapacitating episodes from pseudophakia; Decrease in visual acuity attributed to glaucoma; No compensable rating warranted"},{"case_id":"A26035484","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"Evidence weighed against service connection; Criteria for compensable rating not met"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}