{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/peripheral-arterial-occlusive-disease-buergers-disease","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:26.989Z","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":"Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (buerger's disease)","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2190,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":47.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":40.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":183,"granted_pct":7.1,"denied_pct":37.7,"remanded_pct":48.6},{"year":2018,"issues":313,"granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":40.3,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2019,"issues":383,"granted_pct":15.1,"denied_pct":33.2,"remanded_pct":49.3},{"year":2020,"issues":411,"granted_pct":22.9,"denied_pct":30.7,"remanded_pct":46},{"year":2021,"issues":437,"granted_pct":26.3,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":38.7},{"year":2022,"issues":423,"granted_pct":22.9,"denied_pct":21,"remanded_pct":53.7},{"year":2023,"issues":391,"granted_pct":29.9,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":41.7},{"year":2024,"issues":315,"granted_pct":25.4,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":42.2},{"year":2025,"issues":267,"granted_pct":30.7,"denied_pct":25.1,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2026,"issues":142,"granted_pct":30.3,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":35.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":308,"granted_pct_with":68.8,"granted_pct_without":33.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1458,"granted_pct_with":37.3,"granted_pct_without":50.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":449,"granted_pct_with":80,"granted_pct_without":23.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1070,"granted_pct_with":37.8,"granted_pct_without":43.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":726,"granted_pct_with":56.4,"granted_pct_without":30.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":151,"granted_pct_with":71,"granted_pct_without":37.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1516,"granted_pct_with":33.1,"granted_pct_without":62.1},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":44,"granted_pct_with":34.8,"granted_pct_without":40.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":150,"granted_pct_with":58.5,"granted_pct_without":39.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":92},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":51},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":29},{"reason":"presumed herbicide exposure due to vietnam service","decisions":7},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":6}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":78},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":73},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":72},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":65},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":58},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":30}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040774","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Criteria for 40% rating met; Doubt resolved in Veteran's favor; Ankle-brachial index between 0.54-0.66"},{"case_id":"A26039493","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Grant based on benefit of the doubt; VA opinion found to have low probative value; Repeated cold exposure could contribute to vascular damage"},{"case_id":"A26039036","year":2026,"judge":"TIFFANY DAWSON","rationale":"Conceded herbicide exposure in Vietnam; Prior VA exam inadequate; Private opinion highly probative; Benefit of the doubt applied"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040464","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"Primary disability (ischemic heart disease) not service-connected; No established in-service event for peripheral artery disease; No VA examination required due to lack of in-service event"},{"case_id":"A26037947","year":2026,"judge":"J. NICHOLS","rationale":"Not chronic in service; No manifestation within presumptive period; No continuity of symptomatology; VA opinion found no nexus to service"},{"case_id":"A26027283","year":2026,"judge":"MARIAH N. SIM","rationale":"Service treatment records silent for complaint, treatment, or diagnosis.; Diagnosis in 2019, decades after service.; VA examiner opined less likely than not caused by TERA; no nexus established."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}