{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/nephrolithiasis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:14.046Z","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":"Nephrolithiasis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":888,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":32.7,"remanded_pct":51.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":41,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":51.2},{"year":2018,"issues":82,"granted_pct":12.2,"denied_pct":35.4,"remanded_pct":43.9},{"year":2019,"issues":117,"granted_pct":13.7,"denied_pct":34.2,"remanded_pct":50.4},{"year":2020,"issues":98,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":48,"remanded_pct":42.9},{"year":2021,"issues":86,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":24.4,"remanded_pct":60.5},{"year":2022,"issues":96,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":21.9,"remanded_pct":64.6},{"year":2023,"issues":117,"granted_pct":13.7,"denied_pct":24.8,"remanded_pct":57.3},{"year":2024,"issues":105,"granted_pct":16.2,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":50.5},{"year":2025,"issues":107,"granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":37.4,"remanded_pct":47.7},{"year":2026,"issues":48,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":37.5,"remanded_pct":35.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":64.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":100,"granted_pct_with":47.1,"granted_pct_without":25.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":655,"granted_pct_with":27.2,"granted_pct_without":37.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":120,"granted_pct_with":58,"granted_pct_without":22.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":448,"granted_pct_with":26.8,"granted_pct_without":32.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":247,"granted_pct_with":38.4,"granted_pct_without":24.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":680,"granted_pct_with":27.5,"granted_pct_without":36.8},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":52,"granted_pct_with":25.9,"granted_pct_without":29.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":17},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":5},{"reason":"recurrent stone formation requiring diet and drug therapy","decisions":5},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":4},{"reason":"meets criteria for 30% rating under dc 7508","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":34},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":32},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":27},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":27},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":24},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":15}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26036138","year":2026,"judge":"T. V. CASEY","rationale":"Current diagnosis of kidney stones established; Diagnosis occurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA); No evidence of prior complaints or treatment for kidney stones"},{"case_id":"A26025605","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Favorable VA examination opinion linking kidney stones to Agent Orange exposure.; Agent Orange exposure associated with metabolic and renal disturbances.; Resolving doubt in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26024135","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Private nurse practitioner opinion linked condition to service; Evidence evenly balanced, doubt resolved in veteran's favor; Presumed TERA exposure due to Southwest Asia service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26035282","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"November 2024 VA examination found no recurrent stone formation requiring treatment or colic.; Private chiropractor's opinion lacked probative value.; Evidence persuasively against a compensable rating."},{"case_id":"A26033525","year":2026,"judge":"S. SORATHIA","rationale":"No evidence of colic; Original decision properly applied analogous DC; Arguments were disagreement with evidence weighing"},{"case_id":"A26030562","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighed against meeting criteria for higher rating.; Record did not show recurrent stones requiring procedures more than twice yearly.; No attacks of colic or renal dysfunction during appeal period."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}