{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hammer-toe","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:08.141Z","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":"Hammer toe","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":733,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":34.8,"remanded_pct":45.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":35.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":62,"granted_pct":16.1,"denied_pct":38.7,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2018,"issues":101,"granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":47.5},{"year":2019,"issues":103,"granted_pct":15.5,"denied_pct":38.8,"remanded_pct":42.7},{"year":2020,"issues":110,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":41.8,"remanded_pct":43.6},{"year":2021,"issues":100,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":37},{"year":2022,"issues":103,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2023,"issues":128,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":32.8,"remanded_pct":47.7},{"year":2024,"issues":116,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":45.7},{"year":2025,"issues":124,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":40.3,"remanded_pct":38.7},{"year":2026,"issues":52,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":46.2,"remanded_pct":28.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":104,"granted_pct_with":55.7,"granted_pct_without":30.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":541,"granted_pct_with":33.5,"granted_pct_without":43.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":123,"granted_pct_with":61.6,"granted_pct_without":28.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":351,"granted_pct_with":32.8,"granted_pct_without":38.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":203,"granted_pct_with":47.2,"granted_pct_without":30.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":40,"granted_pct_with":65.4,"granted_pct_without":33.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":607,"granted_pct_with":36.6,"granted_pct_without":30.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":4},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2},{"reason":"noncompensable rating warranted","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":20},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":15},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":9},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":8},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040955","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"At least as likely as not related to service; Hammer toe is a recognized medical condition"},{"case_id":"A26030393","year":2026,"judge":"L. B. CRYAN","rationale":"Favorable private opinion from board-certified podiatrist; Opinion grounded in medical literature on foot biomechanics; Service treatment records document in-service foot pathology"},{"case_id":"26003666","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"All toes affected unilaterally; No claw foot diagnosed; DC 5282 criteria met"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039268","year":2026,"judge":"D. SMART","rationale":"Evidence weighs against compensable rating; Did not manifest hammer toes across all five toes; Severity did not meet criteria for higher rating or analogous code"},{"case_id":"26004492","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTI L. GUNN","rationale":"Examiner found conditions degenerative, not caused by jumping; Opinion: less likely than not related to service; No service treatment records documented toe problem"},{"case_id":"A26032092","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"Evidence weighs against service connection; No diagnosis of foot disability related to service; Veteran's assertions lacked sufficient supporting evidence"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}