{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/impairment-of-visual-acuity","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:22.299Z","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":"Impairment of visual acuity","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":921,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":3,"denied_pct":42.9,"remanded_pct":52.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":6.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":83,"granted_pct":1.2,"denied_pct":51.8,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2018,"issues":148,"granted_pct":3.4,"denied_pct":50,"remanded_pct":44.6},{"year":2019,"issues":151,"granted_pct":2,"denied_pct":45.7,"remanded_pct":51},{"year":2020,"issues":97,"granted_pct":4.1,"denied_pct":43.3,"remanded_pct":50.5},{"year":2021,"issues":80,"granted_pct":2.5,"denied_pct":36.3,"remanded_pct":61.3},{"year":2022,"issues":85,"granted_pct":1.2,"denied_pct":30.6,"remanded_pct":65.9},{"year":2023,"issues":101,"granted_pct":3,"denied_pct":27.7,"remanded_pct":68.3},{"year":2024,"issues":85,"granted_pct":1.2,"denied_pct":44.7,"remanded_pct":50.6},{"year":2025,"issues":83,"granted_pct":6,"denied_pct":47,"remanded_pct":44.6},{"year":2026,"issues":32,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":50,"remanded_pct":34.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":53.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":69,"granted_pct_with":17.8,"granted_pct_without":5.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":532,"granted_pct_with":5.8,"granted_pct_without":8.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":83,"granted_pct_with":23.9,"granted_pct_without":4.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":367,"granted_pct_with":6.6,"granted_pct_without":6.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":192,"granted_pct_with":14.4,"granted_pct_without":4.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":699,"granted_pct_with":7,"granted_pct_without":5.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":47,"granted_pct_with":4.8,"granted_pct_without":6.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":42},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":33},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":28},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":25},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":19},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":19}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26027591","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID A. BRENNINGMEYER","rationale":"AOJ favorable findings on current disability and secondary connection; VA examiner noted visual defect related to stroke; Board found criteria satisfied based on granted stroke claim"},{"case_id":"A26020858","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Granted secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis.; Inadequate initial VA opinion.; Adequate private opinion linked cataracts to sarcoidosis."},{"case_id":"A26001250","year":2026,"judge":"A. J. SPECTOR","rationale":"Reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable improper.; Documented visual field impairments (scotoma, reduced visual field) present.; No evidence of improvement in visual field defects."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039056","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL LANE","rationale":"No current diagnosis of visual impairment; No in-service event causing visual impairment; Evidence did not support claim"},{"case_id":"A26035515","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"No current eye condition found.; Refractive error corrected to 20/20 with glasses.; Refractive errors are not considered diseases or injuries for service connection."},{"case_id":"A26033694","year":2026,"judge":"SCOTT W. DALE","rationale":"Cancelled necessary VA examination without good cause.; Veteran not competent to opine on etiology.; No evidence linking visual impairment to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}