{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/schizophrenia","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:23.277Z","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":"Schizophrenia","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1144,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":26,"denied_pct":18.6,"remanded_pct":48.1,"granted_on_merits_pct":58.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":107,"granted_pct":19.6,"denied_pct":16.8,"remanded_pct":45.8},{"year":2018,"issues":141,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":17.7,"remanded_pct":51.1},{"year":2019,"issues":186,"granted_pct":21,"denied_pct":15.1,"remanded_pct":55.4},{"year":2020,"issues":145,"granted_pct":25.5,"denied_pct":22.8,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2021,"issues":126,"granted_pct":26.2,"denied_pct":22.2,"remanded_pct":46.8},{"year":2022,"issues":105,"granted_pct":23.8,"denied_pct":17.1,"remanded_pct":52.4},{"year":2023,"issues":127,"granted_pct":33.1,"denied_pct":15,"remanded_pct":42.5},{"year":2024,"issues":96,"granted_pct":32.3,"denied_pct":12.5,"remanded_pct":47.9},{"year":2025,"issues":91,"granted_pct":37.4,"denied_pct":22,"remanded_pct":35.2},{"year":2026,"issues":34,"granted_pct":20.6,"denied_pct":38.2,"remanded_pct":38.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":136,"granted_pct_with":80.6,"granted_pct_without":52.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":669,"granted_pct_with":52.1,"granted_pct_without":73.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":233,"granted_pct_with":82.9,"granted_pct_without":46.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":432,"granted_pct_with":48.9,"granted_pct_without":66.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":420,"granted_pct_with":71.7,"granted_pct_without":46.5},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":98,"granted_pct_with":66.2,"granted_pct_without":56.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":897,"granted_pct_with":55.4,"granted_pct_without":74},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":56,"granted_pct_with":57.7,"granted_pct_without":58.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":35},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":6},{"reason":"new and material evidence submitted","decisions":5},{"reason":"new and material evidence received to reopen claim","decisions":5},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":28},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":21},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":20},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":14},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":10},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26033480","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Private psychological evaluation found Veteran \"unquestionably 100% disabled\" due to gross impairment in thought processes, delusions, disorganized speech, poor interpersonal functioning, and high impulsivity.; Private examiner's findings supported by VA treatment records showing visual hallucinatio… [truncated, 126 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26033257","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"Symptoms more closely approximate criteria for 70% rating; Benefit of the doubt afforded to Veteran; Symptoms include hallucinations and passive suicidal ideation"},{"case_id":"A26026355","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"No pre-service mental health issues documented; In-service onset of mental health manifestations; Private opinion found condition related to service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039720","year":2026,"judge":"S. HENEKS","rationale":"Suicidal ideation not persistent or active during appeal period.; Private evaluations contradicted by other medical/lay evidence.; Lack of acknowledgment of conflicting evidence in private evaluations."},{"case_id":"A26036692","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"No in-service injury or disease during ACDUTRA; Schizoaffective disorder is a disease, not an injury; Symptoms first noticed during INACDUTRA; Symptoms appeared to predate INACDUTRA"},{"case_id":"A26029050","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Schizophrenia not of record at time of decision; Later claim denied separately; Not properly before the Board for adjudication"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}