{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hiatal-hernia","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:47.116Z","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":"Hiatal hernia","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1911,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":49.5,"denied_pct":39.5,"remanded_pct":13.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":55.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":87,"granted_pct":27.6,"denied_pct":43.7,"remanded_pct":19.5},{"year":2018,"issues":105,"granted_pct":31.4,"denied_pct":47.6,"remanded_pct":17.1},{"year":2019,"issues":98,"granted_pct":40.8,"denied_pct":40.8,"remanded_pct":17.3},{"year":2020,"issues":163,"granted_pct":42.3,"denied_pct":47.2,"remanded_pct":10.4},{"year":2021,"issues":186,"granted_pct":40.3,"denied_pct":45.7,"remanded_pct":14},{"year":2022,"issues":174,"granted_pct":37.9,"denied_pct":44.3,"remanded_pct":16.1},{"year":2023,"issues":225,"granted_pct":44,"denied_pct":37.3,"remanded_pct":15.1},{"year":2024,"issues":361,"granted_pct":55.4,"denied_pct":32.7,"remanded_pct":11.4},{"year":2025,"issues":502,"granted_pct":53.4,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":9.6},{"year":2026,"issues":140,"granted_pct":56.4,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":11.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":64.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":332,"granted_pct_with":66.6,"granted_pct_without":53.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1619,"granted_pct_with":53.3,"granted_pct_without":72.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":251,"granted_pct_with":66.2,"granted_pct_without":54.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":718,"granted_pct_with":52.1,"granted_pct_without":57.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":776,"granted_pct_with":60.8,"granted_pct_without":51.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":126,"granted_pct_with":59.6,"granted_pct_without":55.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1684,"granted_pct_with":56.5,"granted_pct_without":48.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":66,"granted_pct_with":51.9,"granted_pct_without":55.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"considerable impairment of health","decisions":34},{"reason":"symptoms productive of severe impairment of health","decisions":26},{"reason":"symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health","decisions":24},{"reason":"symptoms met criteria for 30% rating","decisions":21},{"reason":"symptoms meet criteria for 30% rating","decisions":13},{"reason":"productive of considerable impairment of health","decisions":13}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":44},{"reason":"symptoms did not meet criteria for higher rating","decisions":29},{"reason":"symptoms not productive of considerable impairment of health","decisions":22},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":22},{"reason":"symptoms did not meet criteria for 30% rating","decisions":20},{"reason":"no evidence of considerable impairment of health","decisions":16}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040181","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"Symptoms met criteria for 60% rating under DC 7346; Melena with moderate anemia; Pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting; Diarrhea, substernal pain, alternating diarrhea/constipation, abdominal distention; Functional impact on daily life (soiling, concentration, sleep, lethargy);… [truncated, 46 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039749","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"Pre-amended criteria more favorable; Symptoms cause severe impairment of health; Rated by analogy under DC 7346"},{"case_id":"A26039348","year":2026,"judge":"COLLEEN M. GLASER-ALLEN","rationale":"Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss, and melena identified.; Diagnostic Code 7346 (hiatal hernia) applied by analogy as most beneficial.; Veteran's reports of symptoms found probative and outweigh examiners' findings."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040592","year":2026,"judge":"L. CHU","rationale":"Veteran's GERD symptoms did not meet criteria for 30% rating.; No evidence of persistently recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, regurgitation, and substernal pain.; No evidence of considerable impairment of health."},{"case_id":"A26039838","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Veteran's GERD symptoms did not meet criteria for 30% rating.; Examiners noted no daily symptoms or requirement for daily medication.; Symptoms did not result in considerable impairment of health."},{"case_id":"A26038765","year":2026,"judge":"D. SMART","rationale":"No esophageal stricture documented; Symptoms did not meet criteria for considerable impairment of health; No functional impact on work noted by examiners"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}