{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/nontuberculous-lung-disease","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.828Z","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":"Nontuberculous lung disease","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1225,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":2.6,"denied_pct":33.1,"remanded_pct":62.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":7.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":108,"granted_pct":0.9,"denied_pct":39.8,"remanded_pct":55.6},{"year":2018,"issues":196,"granted_pct":1,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":64.8},{"year":2019,"issues":170,"granted_pct":1.8,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":65.9},{"year":2020,"issues":102,"granted_pct":2,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":60.8},{"year":2021,"issues":97,"granted_pct":1,"denied_pct":36.1,"remanded_pct":62.9},{"year":2022,"issues":127,"granted_pct":1.6,"denied_pct":24.4,"remanded_pct":72.4},{"year":2023,"issues":135,"granted_pct":5.2,"denied_pct":24.4,"remanded_pct":70.4},{"year":2024,"issues":114,"granted_pct":4.4,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":57.9},{"year":2025,"issues":146,"granted_pct":4.8,"denied_pct":39,"remanded_pct":55.5},{"year":2026,"issues":41,"granted_pct":4.9,"denied_pct":41.5,"remanded_pct":51.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":84,"granted_pct_with":27.9,"granted_pct_without":5.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":804,"granted_pct_with":5.9,"granted_pct_without":13.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":103,"granted_pct_with":32.7,"granted_pct_without":3.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":541,"granted_pct_with":5.5,"granted_pct_without":9.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":303,"granted_pct_with":14.2,"granted_pct_without":4.9},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":50,"granted_pct_with":36.4,"granted_pct_without":6.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":916,"granted_pct_with":6.7,"granted_pct_without":10.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":76,"granted_pct_with":11.1,"granted_pct_without":7.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":4},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":122},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":53},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":45},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":31},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":15}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26019017","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"Presumption of soundness applicable as condition first diagnosed in service; Private treatment records and medical notation confirmed cyst; Evidence sufficient for service connection despite lack of in-service treatment records"},{"case_id":"26000177","year":2026,"judge":"DELYVONNE M. WHITEHEAD","rationale":"Current diagnosis of pulmonary nodule; Credible reports of in-service exposure to waste burning fumes; Credible reports of drinking contaminated water; Conceded in-service exposure to herbicides; Inadequate unfavorable VA opinion"},{"case_id":"A25107837","year":2025,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"Persian Gulf Veteran status; Evidence in approximate balance; Pulmonary nodules as medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040293","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"No current diagnosis of respiratory disorder.; VA examinations showed normal pulmonary function.; No indication of functional impairment."},{"case_id":"A26040139","year":2026,"judge":"D. JOHNSON","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection; Diagnosis occurred decades after service; Veteran's claims of Agent Orange exposure unsubstantiated"},{"case_id":"A26031963","year":2026,"judge":"R. FEINBERG","rationale":"No current respiratory disability diagnosed or treated.; No complaints of respiratory symptoms.; Normal lung examinations.; Evidence persuasive against current respiratory disability."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}