{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/skin-conditions","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:08.989Z","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":"Skin conditions","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":516,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":30.4,"remanded_pct":54.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":31.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":53,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":24.5,"remanded_pct":56.6},{"year":2018,"issues":76,"granted_pct":15.8,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2019,"issues":57,"granted_pct":8.8,"denied_pct":29.8,"remanded_pct":57.9},{"year":2020,"issues":51,"granted_pct":5.9,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":60.8},{"year":2021,"issues":66,"granted_pct":18.2,"denied_pct":36.4,"remanded_pct":43.9},{"year":2022,"issues":47,"granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":14.9,"remanded_pct":76.6},{"year":2023,"issues":76,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":30.3,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2024,"issues":58,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":51.7},{"year":2025,"issues":55,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":38.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":51,"granted_pct_with":66.7,"granted_pct_without":23.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":375,"granted_pct_with":29.6,"granted_pct_without":42.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":44,"granted_pct_with":65.7,"granted_pct_without":25.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":237,"granted_pct_with":28.7,"granted_pct_without":34.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":110,"granted_pct_with":36.1,"granted_pct_without":29.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":398,"granted_pct_with":29.5,"granted_pct_without":44.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":8},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":23},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":17},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":10},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":9},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26031774","year":2026,"judge":"L. STEPANICK","rationale":"Reduction of rating from 30% to 10% was improper.; July 2024 VA exam was internally inconsistent and not thorough.; Failure to demonstrate actual improvement in functioning.; Restoration of 30% rating granted."},{"case_id":"A26026627","year":2026,"judge":"G. A. WASIK","rationale":"Evidence tends to show characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected or exposed areas.; Veteran's testimony indicates condition impacts beard area and anterior upper neck, supporting at least 5 percent affected.; Evidence does not show con… [truncated, 107 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26007504","year":2026,"judge":"S. MERRICK","rationale":"Symptoms meet criteria for 60% rating; Debilitating fatigue and cognitive impairments restrict daily activities to less than 50% of pre-illness level; 100% criteria not met as Veteran is not precluded from self-care and is still working"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040327","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Contemporaneous service treatment records negative for mumps; Veteran's affirmative denials of symptoms in service records; Lay testimony deemed non-credible against service records; Private medical opinion lacked probative value due to reliance on non-credible reports"},{"case_id":"A26037105","year":2026,"judge":"A. S. CARACCIOLO","rationale":"Affected less than 5% of body/exposed area.; Received only topical treatment.; Did not meet criteria for compensable rating."},{"case_id":"A26036357","year":2026,"judge":"DANETTE MINCEY","rationale":"Condition affected less than 5% of body/exposed areas; No treatment required; Symptoms did not warrant higher rating"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}