{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/prostate-cancer","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:03.026Z","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":"Prostate cancer","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":767,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":22.3,"remanded_pct":57.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":45.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":40,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":17.5,"remanded_pct":62.5},{"year":2018,"issues":63,"granted_pct":7.9,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":65.1},{"year":2019,"issues":102,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":20.6,"remanded_pct":55.9},{"year":2020,"issues":117,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2021,"issues":99,"granted_pct":23.2,"denied_pct":25.3,"remanded_pct":48.5},{"year":2022,"issues":95,"granted_pct":23.2,"denied_pct":27.4,"remanded_pct":46.3},{"year":2023,"issues":101,"granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":18.8,"remanded_pct":62.4},{"year":2024,"issues":70,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":58.6},{"year":2025,"issues":64,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":10.9,"remanded_pct":75},{"year":2026,"issues":31,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":19.4,"remanded_pct":67.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":83,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":117,"granted_pct_with":51.1,"granted_pct_without":44.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":520,"granted_pct_with":34.7,"granted_pct_without":61.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":150,"granted_pct_with":68.9,"granted_pct_without":41.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":328,"granted_pct_with":28.3,"granted_pct_without":54.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":271,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":42.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":668,"granted_pct_with":41.8,"granted_pct_without":63.3},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":43,"granted_pct_with":72,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":60,"granted_pct_with":34.6,"granted_pct_without":46.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":10},{"reason":"prostate cancer is a presumptive condition for herbicide exposure","decisions":7},{"reason":"presumptive service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure","decisions":4},{"reason":"prostate cancer is a presumptive condition associated with herbicide exposure","decisions":4},{"reason":"prostate cancer is presumptively linked to herbicide exposure","decisions":4},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":18},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":16},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":9},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":6},{"reason":"prostate cancer rated under dc 7528","decisions":5},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":5}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26024834","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Criteria for service connection met; Prostate cancer granted service connection"},{"case_id":"A26021700","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"Veteran has current diagnosis of prostate cancer; Credible testimony of herbicide exposure in service; Presumptive service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure"},{"case_id":"A26007245","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Rating based on urinary frequency; Supports 40 percent rating from November 6, 2017; Weight of evidence against rating in excess of 40 percent"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037922","year":2026,"judge":"FREDERIC P. GALLUN","rationale":"No in-service complaints or diagnosis of prostate cancer.; Earliest medical documentation over four decades after service.; No evidence of herbicide exposure (USS Ticonderoga did not meet BWN Act criteria).; Veteran's claims of airborne herbicide exposure deemed speculative.; Medical literature does… [truncated, 104 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26023541","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID H. ROBERTSON","rationale":"Service treatment records silent for prostate cancer and Agent Orange exposure.; Records research found no mention of herbicide use or specific duties near DMZ.; No presumption of Agent Orange exposure; direct causation not proven.; Late onset (2026) does not support in-service onset.; VA examiner o… [truncated, 144 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26023383","year":2026,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"No evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of prostate cancer.; Prostate cancer diagnosed 37 years post-service with no continuity of symptoms.; No evidence of in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or chemicals.; No evidence of radiogenic disease or exposure to ionizing radiation.; Vete… [truncated, 57 chars omitted]"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}