{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/malignant-neoplasms-of-the-digestive-system","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:26.626Z","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":"Malignant neoplasms of the digestive system","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":5024,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":25.4,"denied_pct":26.7,"remanded_pct":46.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":48.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":310,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":35.8},{"year":2018,"issues":554,"granted_pct":19.7,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":41.2},{"year":2019,"issues":686,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":49.9},{"year":2020,"issues":639,"granted_pct":18.9,"denied_pct":30.7,"remanded_pct":48.8},{"year":2021,"issues":606,"granted_pct":22.3,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":48.7},{"year":2022,"issues":602,"granted_pct":23.8,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":51.8},{"year":2023,"issues":594,"granted_pct":29.6,"denied_pct":19,"remanded_pct":50.3},{"year":2024,"issues":554,"granted_pct":35.9,"denied_pct":19.5,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2025,"issues":576,"granted_pct":29,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":47.9},{"year":2026,"issues":217,"granted_pct":40.1,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":37.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":451,"granted_pct_with":72.8,"granted_pct_without":45},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3143,"granted_pct_with":41.2,"granted_pct_without":66.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1168,"granted_pct_with":86.6,"granted_pct_without":27.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2481,"granted_pct_with":40.5,"granted_pct_without":59.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":2155,"granted_pct_with":63.8,"granted_pct_without":30.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":425,"granted_pct_with":78.7,"granted_pct_without":44.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":3276,"granted_pct_with":38,"granted_pct_without":73.8},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":144,"granted_pct_with":57.3,"granted_pct_without":48.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":350,"granted_pct_with":49.5,"granted_pct_without":48.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":183},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":21},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":20},{"reason":"presumed herbicide exposure due to vietnam service","decisions":18},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":14},{"reason":"presumption of herbicide exposure due to vietnam service","decisions":13}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":185},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":176},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":153},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":119},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":86},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":56}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040524","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Private medical opinion found probative; VA examiner opinion inadequate; Resolved reasonable doubt in veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040823","year":2026,"judge":"M. HYLAND","rationale":"VA examiner opinion found persuasive when read in light most favorable to Veteran; Establishes nexus to service-connected alcohol use disorder"},{"case_id":"A26040843","year":2026,"judge":"J. NICHOLS","rationale":"Evidence persuasively in favor of service connection; Approximate balance of evidence regarding herbicide exposure; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040952","year":2026,"judge":"NATHANIEL DOAN","rationale":"No in-service diagnosis or manifestation within presumptive period; Service treatment records silent regarding digestive issues; Post-service diagnosis outside presumptive period; VA examiner found less likely than not related to TERA/herbicide exposure; Treating physician opinion found inadequate d… [truncated, 23 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"26005006","year":2026,"judge":"L. M. BARNARD","rationale":"No current diagnosis of colon cancer found in service treatment records or post-service records.; Veteran's lay assertions regarding colon cancer lack probative value due to lack of medical expertise.; Evidence of record is against the claim, precluding application of the benefit of the doubt doctri… [truncated, 3 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039060","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"No new and relevant evidence submitted since prior denials.; Medical evidence consistent with previous statements and records.; Request to readjudicate denied per 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.156(d), 3.2501."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}