{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hernia-hiatal","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:46.189Z","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":"Hernia hiatal","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1225,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":50.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":31.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":108,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":37,"remanded_pct":45.4},{"year":2018,"issues":175,"granted_pct":13.1,"denied_pct":36.6,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2019,"issues":148,"granted_pct":11.5,"denied_pct":31.1,"remanded_pct":50.7},{"year":2020,"issues":140,"granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":48.6},{"year":2021,"issues":148,"granted_pct":12.8,"denied_pct":35.1,"remanded_pct":49.3},{"year":2022,"issues":123,"granted_pct":22,"denied_pct":22,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2023,"issues":120,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":55.8},{"year":2024,"issues":117,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":28.2,"remanded_pct":59},{"year":2025,"issues":118,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":35.6,"remanded_pct":43.2},{"year":2026,"issues":53,"granted_pct":24.5,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":47.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":139,"granted_pct_with":56.7,"granted_pct_without":26.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":837,"granted_pct_with":29.4,"granted_pct_without":38},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":157,"granted_pct_with":60.9,"granted_pct_without":26.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":534,"granted_pct_with":27,"granted_pct_without":35.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":327,"granted_pct_with":38.3,"granted_pct_without":28.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":46,"granted_pct_with":51.7,"granted_pct_without":30.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":951,"granted_pct_with":31.1,"granted_pct_without":33.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":55,"granted_pct_with":29.2,"granted_pct_without":31.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":17},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health","decisions":4},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":3},{"reason":"considerable impairment of health","decisions":3},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":40},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":31},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":28},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":27},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":21},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":13}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037312","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"January 2024 VA examination provided positive nexus opinion.; Linked hiatal hernia to parachutist duties.; Opinion found to be well-reasoned and significant.; Service treatment records were silent regarding gastroesophageal symptoms."},{"case_id":"26004099","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Credible lay statements of in-service symptoms; Symptoms documented in service medical records; Subsequent diagnosis of hiatal hernia; VA opinions failed to adequately address in-service symptoms"},{"case_id":"A26026074","year":2026,"judge":"VICTORIA MOSHIASHWILI","rationale":"Probative evidence in favor of finding; Symptoms began in service and continued; Established causal link (nexus)"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038465","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER A. WENDELL","rationale":"Current diagnosis conceded; Service treatment records document gastroenteritis; VA examiner opined no chronicity of GERD post-service"},{"case_id":"A26029005","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"No in-service complaints or treatment for hiatal hernia; No medical evidence linking hiatal hernia to service; Evidence persuasively weighs against the claim"},{"case_id":"A26026216","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"No current hernia diagnosis; Veteran's lay statements insufficient; Evidence persuasively against claim"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}