{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hand-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:57.999Z","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":"Hand impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":5278,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":31.3,"remanded_pct":58.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":23.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":406,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":56.7},{"year":2018,"issues":655,"granted_pct":4.3,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":58.2},{"year":2019,"issues":746,"granted_pct":6.6,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":61.3},{"year":2020,"issues":738,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":34.8,"remanded_pct":56},{"year":2021,"issues":709,"granted_pct":8.9,"denied_pct":28.9,"remanded_pct":60.6},{"year":2022,"issues":762,"granted_pct":8,"denied_pct":23.6,"remanded_pct":67.6},{"year":2023,"issues":858,"granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":62.9},{"year":2024,"issues":792,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":60.5},{"year":2025,"issues":787,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":37.7,"remanded_pct":47.1},{"year":2026,"issues":334,"granted_pct":18.3,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":46.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":75.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":502,"granted_pct_with":50.3,"granted_pct_without":18.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3798,"granted_pct_with":22.5,"granted_pct_without":26.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":614,"granted_pct_with":55.3,"granted_pct_without":16.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2659,"granted_pct_with":22.7,"granted_pct_without":23.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1180,"granted_pct_with":31.9,"granted_pct_without":19.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":183,"granted_pct_with":50.5,"granted_pct_without":21.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":4341,"granted_pct_with":23.2,"granted_pct_without":23.2},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":165,"granted_pct_with":38.8,"granted_pct_without":22.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":288,"granted_pct_with":34.5,"granted_pct_without":22.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":74},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":22},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":15},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":11},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":11},{"reason":"in-service injury documented","decisions":6}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":312},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":178},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":174},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":143},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":138},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":128}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040148","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"In-service injury alleged (assault with metal rod); Private medical records show old injury, instability, and pain; Fellow veteran corroborates in-service assault; Pain alone can constitute functional impairment/disability; VA examiner opinion found inadequate (conflated chronicity of care with cont… [truncated, 19 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039629","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"Current disability: Degenerative arthritis of the right hand.; In-service event: Laceration of the medial joint of the fourth digit on the right hand on August 22, 1977.; Nexus: Evidence nearly equal; doubt resolved in veteran's favor due to credible lay testimony regarding MOS duties and symptom co… [truncated, 62 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039761","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"Current diagnosis of mild degenerative changes and deformity; In-service fracture documented in STRs; Evidence in equipoise, doubt resolved in veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040887","year":2026,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"No current diagnosis of bilateral hand condition; Normal physical examination findings; Claims file silent for hand complaints"},{"case_id":"A26040006","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Not chronic in service; Did not manifest to compensable degree; No continuity of symptomatology; No nexus to service; VA examiner opined less likely than not"},{"case_id":"A26040009","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No diagnosis of current disability; No in-service manifestation; No etiological relationship to service"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}