{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/nasal-septum-deviation","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:03.938Z","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":"Nasal septum deviation","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1151,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":32.3,"remanded_pct":47.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":34.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":84,"granted_pct":10.7,"denied_pct":23.8,"remanded_pct":52.4},{"year":2018,"issues":111,"granted_pct":10.8,"denied_pct":43.2,"remanded_pct":41.4},{"year":2019,"issues":136,"granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":23.5,"remanded_pct":58.8},{"year":2020,"issues":128,"granted_pct":15.6,"denied_pct":36.7,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2021,"issues":121,"granted_pct":12.4,"denied_pct":26.4,"remanded_pct":58.7},{"year":2022,"issues":110,"granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":34.5,"remanded_pct":49.1},{"year":2023,"issues":140,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":32.9,"remanded_pct":40.7},{"year":2024,"issues":142,"granted_pct":26.1,"denied_pct":29.6,"remanded_pct":43.7},{"year":2025,"issues":142,"granted_pct":22.5,"denied_pct":38,"remanded_pct":36.6},{"year":2026,"issues":51,"granted_pct":23.5,"denied_pct":27.5,"remanded_pct":45.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":167,"granted_pct_with":59.3,"granted_pct_without":28.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":794,"granted_pct_with":32.1,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":206,"granted_pct_with":63.7,"granted_pct_without":25.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":540,"granted_pct_with":34.6,"granted_pct_without":34.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":334,"granted_pct_with":49.5,"granted_pct_without":27.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":924,"granted_pct_with":37.2,"granted_pct_without":23.5},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":64,"granted_pct_with":51.4,"granted_pct_without":33.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":65,"granted_pct_with":54.8,"granted_pct_without":33.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":29},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":7},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":3},{"reason":"positive nexus opinion from va examiner","decisions":3},{"reason":"positive va medical opinion linking condition to service","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":37},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":33},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":27},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":22},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":22}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040136","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Benefit of the doubt applied; Lay statements found credible and probative; Evidence in approximate balance"},{"case_id":"A26040120","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"Condition manifested during service; VA examiner opinion is probative and favorable; No contrary competent medical opinions"},{"case_id":"A26029455","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Private examination confirmed traumatic deviated septum with right-sided obstruction.; CT scan showed deviated septum with spur and defect.; Veteran's testimony described complete obstruction of right nasal passage."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26032105","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"No in-service trauma found.; Post-service diagnosis of non-traumatic deviated septum.; Rating would constitute impermissible pyramiding with existing sinusitis and allergic rhinitis."},{"case_id":"A26026606","year":2026,"judge":"NEELY M. PEDEN","rationale":"Criteria for rating in excess of 10 percent not met; No evidence of polyps or greater than 50% nasal obstruction"},{"case_id":"A26026035","year":2026,"judge":"G. A. WASIK","rationale":"Evidence weighs against incurrence/relation to service; No in-service event, injury, or illness linked"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}