{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/neoplasms-malignant-any-specified-part-of-respiratory-system","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:30.797Z","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":"Neoplasms malignant any specified part of respiratory system","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1225,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":47.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":41.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":68,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":48.5},{"year":2018,"issues":129,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":38,"remanded_pct":39.5},{"year":2019,"issues":160,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":34.4,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2020,"issues":155,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":40.6},{"year":2021,"issues":133,"granted_pct":19.5,"denied_pct":24.8,"remanded_pct":53.4},{"year":2022,"issues":142,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":29.6,"remanded_pct":54.9},{"year":2023,"issues":158,"granted_pct":20.9,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":50.6},{"year":2024,"issues":121,"granted_pct":22.3,"denied_pct":24,"remanded_pct":52.1},{"year":2025,"issues":131,"granted_pct":27.5,"denied_pct":26,"remanded_pct":45.8},{"year":2026,"issues":53,"granted_pct":37.7,"denied_pct":22.6,"remanded_pct":39.6}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":82,"granted_pct_with":68.6,"granted_pct_without":37.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":735,"granted_pct_with":35,"granted_pct_without":52.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":192,"granted_pct_with":72.3,"granted_pct_without":31.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":571,"granted_pct_with":32.6,"granted_pct_without":49.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":462,"granted_pct_with":49.5,"granted_pct_without":34.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":89,"granted_pct_with":67.9,"granted_pct_without":38.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":891,"granted_pct_with":34.7,"granted_pct_without":64},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":55,"granted_pct_with":72.4,"granted_pct_without":39.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":36},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":15},{"reason":"veteran served in thailand during vietnam era","decisions":4},{"reason":"pact act presumptive service connection for respiratory cancer","decisions":4},{"reason":"lung cancer is a presumptive condition under 38 c.f.r. § 3.309(e)","decisions":3},{"reason":"presumption of herbicide exposure applies","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":45},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":41},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":39},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":35},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":31},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039545","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"Pulmonary coin lesion evaluated under DC 6820 by analogy to Restrictive Lung Disease; FEV-1/FVC of 83 percent predicted meets criteria for 10 percent evaluation; Higher rating not warranted as FEV-1/FVC does not meet criteria for 30 percent evaluation"},{"case_id":"A26037706","year":2026,"judge":"A. S. CARACCIOLO","rationale":"Competent and probative VA TERA Medical Opinion DBQ; Conceded in-service TERA exposure; Approximate equipoise of evidence; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26037307","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Evidence in equipoise; Positive VA medical oncologist opinion; TERA memorandums reflect exposure; Benefit of the doubt applied"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26036118","year":2026,"judge":"D. JOHNSON","rationale":"No current diagnosis of lung lesions/spots; Service treatment records negative for lung issues; Evidence weighed against the claim; Benefit of the doubt doctrine did not apply"},{"case_id":"A26034038","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of lung cancer established.; Medical evidence showed pulmonary aspergillosis, not malignancy.; Pulmonary aspergillosis is not a presumptive condition for herbicide exposure."},{"case_id":"A26033766","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. PAPPAS","rationale":"No current diagnosis for lung nodule; No proof of present disability; VA examiner provided negative nexus opinion"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}