{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/metatarsalgia","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:23.635Z","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":"Metatarsalgia","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":559,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":24.3,"denied_pct":29.5,"remanded_pct":44.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":45.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":44,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2018,"issues":52,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":36.5,"remanded_pct":51.9},{"year":2019,"issues":76,"granted_pct":19.7,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":52.6},{"year":2020,"issues":83,"granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":48.2},{"year":2021,"issues":49,"granted_pct":16.3,"denied_pct":20.4,"remanded_pct":55.1},{"year":2022,"issues":80,"granted_pct":31.3,"denied_pct":22.5,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2023,"issues":61,"granted_pct":21.3,"denied_pct":23,"remanded_pct":54.1},{"year":2024,"issues":72,"granted_pct":37.5,"denied_pct":22.2,"remanded_pct":38.9},{"year":2025,"issues":84,"granted_pct":34.5,"denied_pct":29.8,"remanded_pct":34.5},{"year":2026,"issues":33,"granted_pct":27.3,"denied_pct":36.4,"remanded_pct":33.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":86,"granted_pct_with":75,"granted_pct_without":35.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":416,"granted_pct_with":45.2,"granted_pct_without":44.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":98,"granted_pct_with":81,"granted_pct_without":32.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":279,"granted_pct_with":49.4,"granted_pct_without":40.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":157,"granted_pct_with":52.9,"granted_pct_without":41.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":440,"granted_pct_with":47.4,"granted_pct_without":35.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":20},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":3},{"reason":"evidence evenly balanced","decisions":3},{"reason":"positive nexus opinion from va examiner","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":49},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":9},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":8},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":8},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":8},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040955","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"At least as likely as not related to service; Metatarsalgia is a recognized medical condition"},{"case_id":"A26037229","year":2026,"judge":"DELYVONNE M. WHITEHEAD","rationale":"In-service physical training; Credited lay statements regarding trauma; Benefit of the doubt afforded"},{"case_id":"A26036100","year":2026,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"Evidence is at least evenly balanced; Resolving doubt in veteran's favor; Injury incurred during ADT"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040039","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Negative report on separation examination; Lack of in-service complaints or injury; Veteran's lay evidence conflicted with contemporaneous denial"},{"case_id":"A26036089","year":2026,"judge":"CORY M. PICTON","rationale":"10% is maximum rating under DC 5279; Rating by analogy not appropriate for specifically listed condition; Pyramiding avoided by compensating foot pain under DC 5284"},{"case_id":"A26018637","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Service treatment records silent for foot disability; No current diagnosis of metatarsalgia; No evidence of functional impairment from reported pain"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}