{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/irritable-colon-syndrome-spastic-colitis-mucous-colitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:24.271Z","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":"Irritable colon syndrome (spastic colitis mucous colitis)","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":6751,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":25.2,"denied_pct":26.9,"remanded_pct":45.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":48.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":289,"granted_pct":14.2,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":38.8},{"year":2018,"issues":571,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":32.2,"remanded_pct":41.2},{"year":2019,"issues":673,"granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":51.4},{"year":2020,"issues":647,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":50.4},{"year":2021,"issues":576,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":23.8,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2022,"issues":600,"granted_pct":22.8,"denied_pct":20.8,"remanded_pct":53.8},{"year":2023,"issues":734,"granted_pct":24.5,"denied_pct":21.5,"remanded_pct":51.5},{"year":2024,"issues":938,"granted_pct":28.7,"denied_pct":23.9,"remanded_pct":45.5},{"year":2025,"issues":1329,"granted_pct":32.2,"denied_pct":30.6,"remanded_pct":35.6},{"year":2026,"issues":517,"granted_pct":32.1,"denied_pct":29.2,"remanded_pct":35.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":908,"granted_pct_with":70,"granted_pct_without":43.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":5030,"granted_pct_with":48,"granted_pct_without":49.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1151,"granted_pct_with":74,"granted_pct_without":40.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":3419,"granted_pct_with":47,"granted_pct_without":50.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":2102,"granted_pct_with":57.9,"granted_pct_without":42.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":328,"granted_pct_with":70.1,"granted_pct_without":47},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":5377,"granted_pct_with":48.1,"granted_pct_without":50.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":201,"granted_pct_with":62.4,"granted_pct_without":48},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":476,"granted_pct_with":57.7,"granted_pct_without":47.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":190},{"reason":"ibs is a qualifying chronic disability under 38 c.f.r. § 3.317","decisions":38},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":33},{"reason":"presumptive service connection under 38 c.f.r. § 3.317","decisions":33},{"reason":"veteran is a persian gulf veteran","decisions":31},{"reason":"veteran served in southwest asia during persian gulf war","decisions":29}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":354},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":175},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":139},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":133},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":116},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":95}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039955","year":2026,"judge":"L. HOWELL","rationale":"Prior rating criteria more favorable; Symptoms met criteria for severe IBS; Daily diarrhea with constant abdominal distress and weight loss"},{"case_id":"A26040276","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Private opinion linked IBS to mental health and pain; Service-connected disabilities contributed to obesity; Obesity caused IBS; Relative equipoise resolved in veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040293","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Symptoms met criteria for severe IBS.; Constant abdominal distress noted.; 30 percent rating warranted for the period on appeal."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040152","year":2026,"judge":"S. KIM","rationale":"No established diagnosis of IBS or functional gastrointestinal disorder.; Veteran lacks expertise to diagnose IBS.; Service treatment records silent for IBS complaints/diagnosis.; Evidence weighs against current diagnosis or link to service/TERA."},{"case_id":"A26040339","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Veteran's testimony regarding symptom severity found not credible; Medical records and VA exam did not show severe IBS symptoms; IBS did not impact ability to work per VA examiner"},{"case_id":"A26040381","year":2026,"judge":"R. FEINBERG","rationale":"No current diagnosis of IBS found in the record.; No evidence of IBS symptoms during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.; Service treatment records are silent for IBS complaints, treatment, or diagnosis."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}