{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/kidney-neoplasm-of-malignant","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:25.459Z","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":"Kidney neoplasm of malignant","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2819,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.9,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":51.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":51.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":200,"granted_pct":21,"denied_pct":30.5,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2018,"issues":344,"granted_pct":22.4,"denied_pct":32.8,"remanded_pct":41.9},{"year":2019,"issues":345,"granted_pct":26.4,"denied_pct":26.1,"remanded_pct":46.1},{"year":2020,"issues":345,"granted_pct":17.4,"denied_pct":25.8,"remanded_pct":55.1},{"year":2021,"issues":299,"granted_pct":23.4,"denied_pct":19.7,"remanded_pct":55.5},{"year":2022,"issues":314,"granted_pct":22,"denied_pct":16.2,"remanded_pct":59.2},{"year":2023,"issues":325,"granted_pct":28,"denied_pct":17.8,"remanded_pct":52},{"year":2024,"issues":302,"granted_pct":26.2,"denied_pct":16.9,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2025,"issues":283,"granted_pct":25.8,"denied_pct":20.1,"remanded_pct":51.9},{"year":2026,"issues":105,"granted_pct":28.6,"denied_pct":18.1,"remanded_pct":52.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":247,"granted_pct_with":81.8,"granted_pct_without":46.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1591,"granted_pct_with":43.2,"granted_pct_without":65.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":605,"granted_pct_with":87.3,"granted_pct_without":31.9},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1201,"granted_pct_with":42.1,"granted_pct_without":60.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1069,"granted_pct_with":66.8,"granted_pct_without":35.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":174,"granted_pct_with":74.4,"granted_pct_without":48.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1909,"granted_pct_with":41,"granted_pct_without":79.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":89,"granted_pct_with":69.4,"granted_pct_without":50.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":148,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":50.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":86},{"reason":"presumed exposure to herbicide agents","decisions":7},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":6},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":6},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":5}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":85},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":85},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":81},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":59},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":17},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":17}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040615","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"VA failed to notify Veteran of elevated PSA results; Failure proximately caused continuance/progress of prostate cancer; Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040626","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID L. WIGHT","rationale":"Evidence of record is at least in equipoise regarding toxic exposures during service.; Private medical opinion provided moderate probative weight, linking prostate cancer to Fort McClellan exposures.; VA examination opinion afforded minimal probative weight due to conclusory nature and lack of direc… [truncated, 11 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040631","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"Reduction based on inadequate VA examination; Examiner's opinion lacked medical evidence and analysis; Restoration of 100 percent rating is warranted"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038170","year":2026,"judge":"RAY BARTO SLABBEKORN, JR.","rationale":"No evidence of renal dysfunction meeting criteria for higher rating.; December 2024 VA examiner found normal kidney function (GFR 78).; Veteran's claim for higher rating not supported by evidence."},{"case_id":"A26033545","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"No in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of kidney pathology.; No malignant tumor shown within one year of separation.; No continuity of symptomatology.; VA TERA exam found no nexus between lead exposure and kidney cancer.; VA physician's opinion linking cancer to asbestos had reduced proba… [truncated, 74 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26033271","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"VA examination found cancer in remission with no residuals; No evidence of recurrence or voiding/renal dysfunction; Lay testimony less probative than medical evidence for rating criteria"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}