{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:15.534Z","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":"Rheumatoid arthritis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1356,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12.2,"denied_pct":28.4,"remanded_pct":58,"granted_on_merits_pct":30,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":120,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":40.8,"remanded_pct":47.5},{"year":2018,"issues":170,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":29.4,"remanded_pct":56.5},{"year":2019,"issues":227,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":56.4},{"year":2020,"issues":154,"granted_pct":12.3,"denied_pct":26.6,"remanded_pct":59.7},{"year":2021,"issues":200,"granted_pct":15,"denied_pct":29.5,"remanded_pct":55},{"year":2022,"issues":187,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":16.6,"remanded_pct":71.1},{"year":2023,"issues":232,"granted_pct":8.2,"denied_pct":20.3,"remanded_pct":70.3},{"year":2024,"issues":178,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":20.2,"remanded_pct":66.3},{"year":2025,"issues":163,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":22.7,"remanded_pct":59.5},{"year":2026,"issues":62,"granted_pct":16.1,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":50}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":80.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":156,"granted_pct_with":62.1,"granted_pct_without":22.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":941,"granted_pct_with":27.3,"granted_pct_without":39.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":238,"granted_pct_with":68,"granted_pct_without":15.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":731,"granted_pct_with":28.4,"granted_pct_without":32.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":483,"granted_pct_with":43.7,"granted_pct_without":19},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":98,"granted_pct_with":54.3,"granted_pct_without":27.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1057,"granted_pct_with":27.7,"granted_pct_without":42.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":64,"granted_pct_with":22.2,"granted_pct_without":30.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":25},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":9},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"private medical opinion linked condition to service","decisions":3},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":68},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":54},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":48},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":42},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":35},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":21}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040421","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Evidence in equipoise regarding TERA contribution; Conceded TERA participation; Diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis dating from at least 2009"},{"case_id":"A26036931","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"Current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis established.; Service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress.; Private medical opinion found RA etiologically related to psychiatric disorder.; Resolving doubt in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"26004273","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Current diagnosis of multi-joint rheumatoid arthritis; In-service complaints of chronic joint pain and swollen joints; Continuity of symptomatology shown in post-service records; Benefit of the doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039196","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"Evidence weighs against diagnosis; VA examiner provided negative nexus opinion; Osteoarthritis accounts for joint pain"},{"case_id":"A26036902","year":2026,"judge":"M. M. CELLI","rationale":"No in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.; No presumptive service connection established.; Lay statements not competent to address etiology."},{"case_id":"A26037380","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"No diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis during period under review; Service medical records negative for diagnosis/treatment; VA examination found no rheumatoid arthritis"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}