{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/lower-extremity-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:10.598Z","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":"Lower extremity impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":548,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":4,"denied_pct":31,"remanded_pct":63.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":11.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":74,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":40.5,"remanded_pct":58.1},{"year":2018,"issues":130,"granted_pct":3.8,"denied_pct":26.9,"remanded_pct":68.5},{"year":2019,"issues":143,"granted_pct":4.9,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":60.8},{"year":2020,"issues":86,"granted_pct":2.3,"denied_pct":33.7,"remanded_pct":62.8},{"year":2021,"issues":64,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":32.8,"remanded_pct":59.4},{"year":2022,"issues":60,"granted_pct":3.3,"denied_pct":15,"remanded_pct":80},{"year":2023,"issues":66,"granted_pct":3,"denied_pct":25.8,"remanded_pct":71.2},{"year":2024,"issues":56,"granted_pct":1.8,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":66.1},{"year":2025,"issues":51,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":60.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":81.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":41,"granted_pct_with":31.8,"granted_pct_without":8.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":345,"granted_pct_with":8.9,"granted_pct_without":19.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":77,"granted_pct_with":23.7,"granted_pct_without":8.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":253,"granted_pct_with":8.3,"granted_pct_without":15.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":149,"granted_pct_with":16.7,"granted_pct_without":8.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":428,"granted_pct_with":9.5,"granted_pct_without":20.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"severance of service connection was improper","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":48},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":18},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":11},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":6},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26023168","year":2026,"judge":"D. MARTZ AMES","rationale":"Private medical opinion found it at least as likely as not related to service; Opinion linked to in-service injury and impact on lower kinetic chain"},{"case_id":"A25105138","year":2025,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Hypertension is service-connected.; Veteran has bilateral lower extremity weakness.; Examiner opined hypertension contributed to stroke causing physical disabilities."},{"case_id":"A25057266","year":2025,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Service connection granted"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26036071","year":2026,"judge":"K. PARAKKAL","rationale":"Criteria for extraschedular evaluation not met; Loss of use did not warrant extraschedular consideration"},{"case_id":"A26027404","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Weight of evidence against disability; No manifestation during service; No disease or injury during service"},{"case_id":"26003028","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Not attributable to service; Not attributable to service-connected disability"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}