{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/liver-cirrhosis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.091Z","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":"Liver cirrhosis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1617,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":35.5,"remanded_pct":49.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":27.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":140,"granted_pct":11.4,"denied_pct":40.7,"remanded_pct":40.7},{"year":2018,"issues":265,"granted_pct":15.8,"denied_pct":41.9,"remanded_pct":38.1},{"year":2019,"issues":226,"granted_pct":8.4,"denied_pct":35.8,"remanded_pct":54},{"year":2020,"issues":146,"granted_pct":13,"denied_pct":39.7,"remanded_pct":45.9},{"year":2021,"issues":130,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":38.5,"remanded_pct":43.8},{"year":2022,"issues":163,"granted_pct":12.9,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":57.1},{"year":2023,"issues":158,"granted_pct":10.8,"denied_pct":32.9,"remanded_pct":55.1},{"year":2024,"issues":160,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":28.1,"remanded_pct":58.8},{"year":2025,"issues":188,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2026,"issues":65,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":27.7,"remanded_pct":55.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":202,"granted_pct_with":58,"granted_pct_without":20.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1116,"granted_pct_with":23.6,"granted_pct_without":40},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":266,"granted_pct_with":64.9,"granted_pct_without":15.9},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":828,"granted_pct_with":22,"granted_pct_without":35.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":485,"granted_pct_with":38.7,"granted_pct_without":21.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":94,"granted_pct_with":57.9,"granted_pct_without":25.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1181,"granted_pct_with":23.3,"granted_pct_without":43.8},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":104,"granted_pct_with":19.3,"granted_pct_without":28.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":30},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":29},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":16},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":3},{"reason":"new and material evidence received","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":65},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":64},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":57},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":56},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":54},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":25}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037270","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTIN HADDOCK","rationale":"Service-connected PTSD led to weight gain.; Weight gain is a risk factor for NAFLD.; Obesity served as an intermediate step between PTSD and NAFLD."},{"case_id":"A26027879","year":2026,"judge":"REBECCA N. POULSON","rationale":"Evidence is in equipoise regarding service connection.; In-service toxic exposures contributed to cirrhosis development.; Private physician opinion linked exposures to accelerated disease."},{"case_id":"A26025298","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Current disability established by VA treatment report (ultrasound); Service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder acknowledged; Independent medical opinion linked liver disease to psychiatric disability and alcohol use"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039704","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"No competent positive nexus opinion; VA examiner opined less likely than not caused by asbestos/lead exposure; Medical literature does not support link"},{"case_id":"26003912","year":2026,"judge":"TIFFANY DAWSON","rationale":"No competent evidence of current liver disability; Service treatment records silent for liver issues; Conflicting VA examinations regarding diagnosis and service connection"},{"case_id":"26003708","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"Splenomegaly pre-existed service; No evidence of in-service increase; Weight of evidence against claim"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}