{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/paralysis-of-sciatic-nerve-or-external-popliteal-nerve","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:25.269Z","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":"Paralysis of sciatic nerve or external popliteal nerve","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":12589,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23,"denied_pct":26.8,"remanded_pct":51,"granted_on_merits_pct":46.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":630,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":26.7,"remanded_pct":56.3},{"year":2018,"issues":1263,"granted_pct":17.5,"denied_pct":23,"remanded_pct":56.3},{"year":2019,"issues":1714,"granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":26,"remanded_pct":55.2},{"year":2020,"issues":2144,"granted_pct":19.5,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":49.2},{"year":2021,"issues":2139,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":49.8},{"year":2022,"issues":2295,"granted_pct":20.1,"denied_pct":25.3,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2023,"issues":2610,"granted_pct":20.8,"denied_pct":24.2,"remanded_pct":52.5},{"year":2024,"issues":2653,"granted_pct":25.5,"denied_pct":27,"remanded_pct":45.1},{"year":2025,"issues":2958,"granted_pct":28.3,"denied_pct":24.7,"remanded_pct":44.2},{"year":2026,"issues":1124,"granted_pct":30.9,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":41.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":58,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":1544,"granted_pct_with":66.4,"granted_pct_without":41.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":8767,"granted_pct_with":45.3,"granted_pct_without":49.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1643,"granted_pct_with":71.4,"granted_pct_without":40.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":4259,"granted_pct_with":45.7,"granted_pct_without":46.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":3766,"granted_pct_with":54,"granted_pct_without":41.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":646,"granted_pct_with":62.7,"granted_pct_without":45.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":9648,"granted_pct_with":45.9,"granted_pct_without":47.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":315,"granted_pct_with":62.2,"granted_pct_without":45.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":456,"granted_pct_with":51.9,"granted_pct_without":45.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":430},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":172},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":81},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis of sciatic nerve","decisions":39},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":34},{"reason":"moderate incomplete paralysis","decisions":25}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":208},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":204},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":117},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":101},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":97},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":78}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040468","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability; VA examiner noted relation to lumbar spine degenerative changes; Benefit of the doubt doctrine applied"},{"case_id":"A26040500","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"No dispute of current disability.; Service-connected low back disability established.; Nexus between low back disability and radiculopathy is established."},{"case_id":"A26040926","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Secondary service connection established; Caused by lumbar spine disability; Benefit of doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040852","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"No in-service complaints or treatment; No positive nexus opinion; McLendon criteria for remand not met"},{"case_id":"A26040874","year":2026,"judge":"B. D. WATSON","rationale":"No in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis; Significant temporal gap post-service; Negative nexus opinion"},{"case_id":"A26041005","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Primary condition (lumbar spine) not service-connected.; Secondary service connection requires a service-connected primary condition.; No nexus established for primary condition."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}