{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hiatus-hernia","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:02.711Z","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":"Hiatus hernia","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":706,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":31.7,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":35.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":50.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":38,"granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":31.6,"remanded_pct":39.5},{"year":2018,"issues":60,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":46.7,"remanded_pct":25},{"year":2019,"issues":56,"granted_pct":17.9,"denied_pct":35.7,"remanded_pct":42.9},{"year":2020,"issues":92,"granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":30.4,"remanded_pct":44.6},{"year":2021,"issues":91,"granted_pct":26.4,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":39.6},{"year":2022,"issues":91,"granted_pct":34.1,"denied_pct":29.7,"remanded_pct":29.7},{"year":2023,"issues":81,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":25.9,"remanded_pct":44.4},{"year":2024,"issues":94,"granted_pct":42.6,"denied_pct":27.7,"remanded_pct":26.6},{"year":2025,"issues":97,"granted_pct":45.4,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":21.6},{"year":2026,"issues":34,"granted_pct":47.1,"denied_pct":17.6,"remanded_pct":35.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":65.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":86,"granted_pct_with":71.1,"granted_pct_without":45.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":525,"granted_pct_with":51,"granted_pct_without":46.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":81,"granted_pct_with":66.2,"granted_pct_without":47.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":304,"granted_pct_with":45.6,"granted_pct_without":53.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":220,"granted_pct_with":60.3,"granted_pct_without":44.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":41,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":49.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":572,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":51.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12},{"reason":"considerable impairment of health","decisions":10},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":7},{"reason":"considerable impairment of health noted","decisions":4},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"symptoms met criteria for 30% rating","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":15},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":14},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":13},{"reason":"symptoms did not meet criteria for higher rating","decisions":9},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":8},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26036145","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Symptoms of pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, substernal pain, sleep disturbance, nausea, and vomiting documented.; Persistent and frequent symptoms considered to cause considerable impairment of health.; Benefit of the doubt resolved in favor of Veteran for 30% rating."},{"case_id":"A26035846","year":2026,"judge":"T. MAINELLI","rationale":"Current diagnoses of hiatal hernia, GERD, stricture of esophagus, gastritis, and eosinophilic esophagitis established.; Veteran's lay testimony regarding onset of symptoms in 1986 at Camp Lejeune found credible and competent.; Continuity of symptoms since service established, linking to current esop… [truncated, 119 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26035724","year":2026,"judge":"D. MARTZ AMES","rationale":"Favorable finding by RO on current diagnosis; Service treatment records noted food poisoning and hernia; Persuasive private medical opinion linking symptoms to service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26032995","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"No in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for hiatal hernia.; Service treatment records and retirement examination documented no issues related to hiatal hernia.; Post-service treatment records did not specifically indicate hiatal hernia began in service or is due to service."},{"case_id":"A26028756","year":2026,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Headaches are a symptom of service-connected sinusitis.; Separate rating for headaches would constitute pyramiding.; Headaches contemplated in DC 6511 for sinusitis."},{"case_id":"26003911","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"Criteria for increased rating not met; No severe impairment shown"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}