{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/mental-disorders","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:30:02.639Z","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":"Mental disorders","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":526,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":19,"remanded_pct":59.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":43.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":192,"granted_pct":6.8,"denied_pct":17.7,"remanded_pct":64.1},{"year":2018,"issues":192,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":20.3,"remanded_pct":56.3},{"year":2019,"issues":93,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":12.9,"remanded_pct":63.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":46,"granted_pct_with":86.7,"granted_pct_without":34.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":318,"granted_pct_with":40.7,"granted_pct_without":52.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":72,"granted_pct_with":90,"granted_pct_without":29.9},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":208,"granted_pct_with":36.7,"granted_pct_without":50.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":134,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":40.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":417,"granted_pct_with":41.6,"granted_pct_without":53.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":70,"granted_pct_with":57.1,"granted_pct_without":41.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":6},{"reason":"new and material evidence submitted","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":17},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":10},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":8},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":6},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":5},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26019980","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Holistic analysis of all associated symptoms considered.; Evidence in relative equipoise; reasonable doubt resolved in Veteran's favor.; Veteran's testimony and private psychiatric report estimated total impairment."},{"case_id":"A25102746","year":2025,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Private examiner found disorder related to active service; Examiner provided sufficient rationale; No probative contrary medical opinions"},{"case_id":"25011472","year":2025,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Recent treatment records show gross impairment of thought processes; Inability to perform activities of daily living; Significant memory loss consistent with 100% rating"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A25061642","year":2025,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"Veteran already assigned maximum 100% rating; No basis for rating in excess of maximum"},{"case_id":"25006748","year":2025,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"No current diagnosis of acquired psychiatric disability; Symptoms reported were mild and not clinically significant; Medical evidence did not meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria"},{"case_id":"A24070203","year":2024,"judge":"B. D. WATSON","rationale":"Service treatment records showed no psychiatric issues at entry.; In-service hospitalization for situational stress reaction in 1972.; Post-service VA examinations consistently denied depression/anxiety and showed satisfactory functioning.; Private opinion lacked supporting rationale and treatment h… [truncated, 97 chars omitted]"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}