{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/restrictive-lung-disease-interstitial-pulmonary-fibrosis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:26.498Z","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":"Restrictive lung disease interstitial pulmonary fibrosis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":851,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":53.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":36.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":25,"granted_pct":16,"denied_pct":48,"remanded_pct":32},{"year":2018,"issues":50,"granted_pct":8,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":60},{"year":2019,"issues":81,"granted_pct":11.1,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":56.8},{"year":2020,"issues":99,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":56.6},{"year":2021,"issues":81,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":59.3},{"year":2022,"issues":99,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":18.2,"remanded_pct":63.6},{"year":2023,"issues":93,"granted_pct":15.1,"denied_pct":31.2,"remanded_pct":50.5},{"year":2024,"issues":103,"granted_pct":21.4,"denied_pct":30.1,"remanded_pct":47.6},{"year":2025,"issues":181,"granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":49.2},{"year":2026,"issues":55,"granted_pct":29.1,"denied_pct":34.5,"remanded_pct":36.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":87,"granted_pct_with":70.8,"granted_pct_without":29.4},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":599,"granted_pct_with":33.9,"granted_pct_without":44.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":175,"granted_pct_with":67.2,"granted_pct_without":21.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":455,"granted_pct_with":36,"granted_pct_without":36.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":342,"granted_pct_with":48.9,"granted_pct_without":24.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":61,"granted_pct_with":63.2,"granted_pct_without":33.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":636,"granted_pct_with":32.7,"granted_pct_without":49.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":65,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":34.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":27},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":39},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":27},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":26},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":26},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":22},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":14}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037887","year":2026,"judge":"J. KIRBY","rationale":"Competent and credible evidence establishes relation to Hodgkin's disease treated during service.; Veteran's testimony and medical records indicate shortness of breath consistent with radiation therapy.; Presumption of soundness rebutted as Hodgkin's disease diagnosed during service."},{"case_id":"A26035134","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL LANE","rationale":"Current diagnosis of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis; In-service exposure to ordnances (explosives, mortars, cement, mercury); Treating VA pulmonologist opinion found potential contribution from ordnances; VA examiner opined less likely than not, but Board gave greater weight to treating physician"},{"case_id":"A26031757","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"VA examiner noted lung disability resulted from prolonged intubation/tracheostomy, not amputation directly; Examiner's opinion found inadequate as it denied service connection despite acknowledging intermediate factor; Evidence in approximate balance, benefit of doubt applied"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26034414","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Private opinion from chiropractor lacked specialized training; VA examiner found no respiratory insufficiency pathology; VA findings based on objective pulmonary function testing"},{"case_id":"A26032152","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID H. ROBERTSON","rationale":"VA pulmonologist opined less likely than not due to service.; VA pulmonologist opined less likely than not due to diabetes.; Agent Orange not a listed risk factor; idiopathic etiology noted."},{"case_id":"A26029546","year":2026,"judge":"D. SMART","rationale":"No treatment in service records; No post-service treatment; VA exam found no diagnosis or findings supporting diagnosis; Veteran's self-diagnosis deemed incompetent; More weight given to medical evidence showing no current diagnosis"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}