{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:17.667Z","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":"Restless legs syndrome","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":584,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":16.8,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":52.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":35.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":30,"granted_pct":10,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":46.7},{"year":2018,"issues":50,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":46},{"year":2019,"issues":63,"granted_pct":17.5,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":55.6},{"year":2020,"issues":59,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":32.2,"remanded_pct":54.2},{"year":2021,"issues":52,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":32.7,"remanded_pct":57.7},{"year":2022,"issues":54,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":25.9,"remanded_pct":61.1},{"year":2023,"issues":68,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":61.8},{"year":2024,"issues":94,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":17,"remanded_pct":62.8},{"year":2025,"issues":189,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":44.4},{"year":2026,"issues":42,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":38.1,"remanded_pct":45.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":72.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":66,"granted_pct_with":65.2,"granted_pct_without":30},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":425,"granted_pct_with":34.7,"granted_pct_without":40},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":114,"granted_pct_with":68.8,"granted_pct_without":22.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":292,"granted_pct_with":32.7,"granted_pct_without":39.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":232,"granted_pct_with":45.7,"granted_pct_without":27.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":449,"granted_pct_with":34.1,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":45,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":35}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":19},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":12},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":5},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":2},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":2},{"reason":"private medical opinion found probative","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":28},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":23},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":22},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":21},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":18},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039456","year":2026,"judge":"B. D. WATSON","rationale":"Diagnosis of restless leg syndrome confirmed; VA examination noted obstructive sleep apnea as likely cause; Private examiner agreed obstructive sleep apnea caused restless leg syndrome"},{"case_id":"A26038593","year":2026,"judge":"P.M. DILORENZO","rationale":"Persuasive private medical opinion linking RLS to service-connected conditions and medications.; VA opinions found inadequate for failing to address treatment history or medication effects.; Evidence establishes RLS is caused by service-connected PTSD, arthritis, and radiculopathy."},{"case_id":"A26034443","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Benefit of the doubt applied; Onset in service and etiologically related to service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037337","year":2026,"judge":"H.M. WALKER","rationale":"Criteria for entitlement not met; Diagnostic Code 8520"},{"case_id":"A26034608","year":2026,"judge":"B. D. WATSON","rationale":"Service treatment records were silent regarding restless leg syndrome.; Private opinion diagnosed RLS and linked it to service, but was deemed inadequate by the Board.; VA examination found no objective evidence of RLS.; Board found the VA examination persuasive and the evidence weighed against serv… [truncated, 15 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26025241","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"No probative medical evidence of current diagnosis.; Private consultation lacked supporting rationale.; VA examinations found no diagnosis or consistent symptoms; less likely than not related to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}