{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/foot-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:08.858Z","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":"Foot impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":12163,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":11,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":61.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":28.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":842,"granted_pct":9.5,"denied_pct":33.7,"remanded_pct":52.6},{"year":2018,"issues":1532,"granted_pct":9.1,"denied_pct":27.5,"remanded_pct":60.4},{"year":2019,"issues":1843,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":28.1,"remanded_pct":60.9},{"year":2020,"issues":1777,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":59.7},{"year":2021,"issues":1696,"granted_pct":9.1,"denied_pct":24.8,"remanded_pct":64.7},{"year":2022,"issues":1756,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":66.5},{"year":2023,"issues":1983,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":22.7,"remanded_pct":66.7},{"year":2024,"issues":1904,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":24.2,"remanded_pct":61.8},{"year":2025,"issues":1642,"granted_pct":15.5,"denied_pct":29.1,"remanded_pct":54.8},{"year":2026,"issues":647,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":30.6,"remanded_pct":52.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1062,"granted_pct_with":53.7,"granted_pct_without":24.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":8533,"granted_pct_with":27.7,"granted_pct_without":33.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1410,"granted_pct_with":59.8,"granted_pct_without":22.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":5992,"granted_pct_with":25.8,"granted_pct_without":32.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":2979,"granted_pct_with":39.3,"granted_pct_without":24.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":498,"granted_pct_with":59.5,"granted_pct_without":27},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":10059,"granted_pct_with":29.1,"granted_pct_without":27.8},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":412,"granted_pct_with":44,"granted_pct_without":28.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":556,"granted_pct_with":34.2,"granted_pct_without":28.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":160},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":52},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":29},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":27},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":23},{"reason":"new and material evidence received","decisions":9}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":487},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":364},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":320},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":301},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":267},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":222}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040618","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Current disability established by credible testimony of pain causing impairment in earning capacity.; In-service injury established by veteran's credible testimony of pain during strenuous physical training in boot camp and combat school.; Nexus established by credible and consistent lay testimony r… [truncated, 83 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040845","year":2026,"judge":"A. ISHIZAWAR","rationale":"Prognosis of bilateral foot disability supported by VA treatment records.; In-service injury documented by Veteran's testimony and lay statements.; Private medical opinion from Dr. C.H. provided adequate rationale linking current disability to in-service injury."},{"case_id":"26005010","year":2026,"judge":"MARTIN B. PETERS","rationale":"Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and persistence of pain during and after service found credible.; Benefit of the doubt applied due to inadequate VA medical opinions and credible lay evidence.; Direct service connection established based on continuity of symptomatology."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26041016","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER HWA","rationale":"No current diagnosis of right foot condition; No functional impairment of earning capacity demonstrated; No competent medical evidence of diagnosis or etiology"},{"case_id":"A26040965","year":2026,"judge":"A. DEAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of foot disability; No evidence of functional impairment; No complaints or treatments in service records"},{"case_id":"A26040327","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"No probative evidence of in-service injury to the left leg; Contemporaneous service records negative for claimed injuries; Veteran's affirmative denials of symptoms contradicted current allegations"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}