{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hepatitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:13.944Z","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":"Hepatitis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3665,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":36.9,"remanded_pct":47.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":26.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":357,"granted_pct":10.9,"denied_pct":40.3,"remanded_pct":38.7},{"year":2018,"issues":477,"granted_pct":9.9,"denied_pct":48.4,"remanded_pct":37.1},{"year":2019,"issues":562,"granted_pct":11.7,"denied_pct":40.7,"remanded_pct":44.8},{"year":2020,"issues":511,"granted_pct":12.9,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":49.5},{"year":2021,"issues":449,"granted_pct":12.9,"denied_pct":36.3,"remanded_pct":48.6},{"year":2022,"issues":439,"granted_pct":16.6,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":54.9},{"year":2023,"issues":371,"granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":34.5,"remanded_pct":50.1},{"year":2024,"issues":309,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":57},{"year":2025,"issues":209,"granted_pct":21.5,"denied_pct":35.9,"remanded_pct":41.6},{"year":2026,"issues":99,"granted_pct":33.3,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":38.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":78.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":397,"granted_pct_with":58.6,"granted_pct_without":20.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2647,"granted_pct_with":24.7,"granted_pct_without":38.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":536,"granted_pct_with":63.5,"granted_pct_without":16.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1979,"granted_pct_with":25.6,"granted_pct_without":29.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1005,"granted_pct_with":39.3,"granted_pct_without":20.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":220,"granted_pct_with":53.2,"granted_pct_without":24.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2952,"granted_pct_with":25,"granted_pct_without":39.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":83,"granted_pct_with":37.5,"granted_pct_without":26.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":216,"granted_pct_with":32.8,"granted_pct_without":26.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":77},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":11},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":10},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":7},{"reason":"new and material evidence submitted","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":5}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":205},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":165},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":128},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":119},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":108},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":61}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005099","year":2026,"judge":"PAULETTE VANCE BURTON","rationale":"Aggravated by service-connected hip replacements; Obesity as intermediate step; Resolved doubt in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"26005020","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. PAPPAS","rationale":"Veteran diagnosed with hepatitis C.; Service connection for PTSD established.; Private opinion linked drug use to PTSD.; Drug use linked to hepatitis C.; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence."},{"case_id":"A26038279","year":2026,"judge":"A. J. SPECTOR","rationale":"Private medical opinion found Hepatitis C transmission via jet air gun biologically plausible.; Private opinion noted Veteran's lack of other risk factors and trajectory consistent with infection during service.; VA examination was inadequate, mischaracterizing VBA Fast Letter and failing to address… [truncated, 98 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26034043","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"Evidence showed improvement in hepatitis B disability.; Hepatitis B viral studies negative since 2008.; Current fatigue/weakness attributed to non-service-connected OSA and heart disorders."},{"case_id":"A26031070","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"Hepatic steatosis not incurred in service; Not etiologically related to service; Symptoms attributed to unrelated conditions"},{"case_id":"26004128","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"No evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation; No nexus between claimed in-service condition and present disability"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}