{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/sleep-disturbance","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:01.985Z","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":"Sleep disturbance","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":510,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.7,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":51.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":30.2,"by_year":[{"year":2018,"issues":49,"granted_pct":6.1,"denied_pct":30.6,"remanded_pct":57.1},{"year":2019,"issues":50,"granted_pct":6,"denied_pct":34,"remanded_pct":58},{"year":2020,"issues":50,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":48},{"year":2021,"issues":38,"granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2022,"issues":44,"granted_pct":22.7,"denied_pct":22.7,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2023,"issues":64,"granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":31.3,"remanded_pct":48.4},{"year":2024,"issues":62,"granted_pct":8.1,"denied_pct":35.5,"remanded_pct":51.6},{"year":2025,"issues":116,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":42.2},{"year":2026,"issues":27,"granted_pct":14.8,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":48.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":74,"granted_pct_with":51.1,"granted_pct_without":24.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":361,"granted_pct_with":27.5,"granted_pct_without":40},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":84,"granted_pct_with":48.1,"granted_pct_without":24.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":228,"granted_pct_with":19,"granted_pct_without":41.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":151,"granted_pct_with":32.1,"granted_pct_without":29.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":419,"granted_pct_with":27,"granted_pct_without":50}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":10},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"holistic analysis of symptoms considered","decisions":2},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":27},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":11},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":9},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":7},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040453","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Private psychiatric evaluation found insomnia/sleep disorder to be significant and resulting from PTSD.; Insomnia/sleep disorder symptoms accompanied PTSD symptoms like nightmares and anxiety.; Insomnia/sleep disorder is due to service-connected PTSD."},{"case_id":"A26026527","year":2026,"judge":"D. MARTZ AMES","rationale":"New and relevant evidence submitted (September 2024 VA exam); Veteran diagnosed with insomnia disorder; Examiner found insomnia related to service-connected tinnitus; Examiner deemed competent and credible"},{"case_id":"26001003","year":2026,"judge":"MARTIN B. PETERS","rationale":"Sleep disturbance reasonably raised by record.; Veteran reports sleep disruption due to leg cramps.; VA examiner noted impact on restful sleep."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26028689","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"Service treatment records silent regarding insomnia; No lay statements corroborating in-service issues; No evidence of symptoms during or shortly after service"},{"case_id":"A26028998","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"No treatment records during appeal period.; VA examiner diagnosed insomnia with chronic sleep impairment.; Examiner concluded mild/transient symptoms affecting work efficiency only during significant stress or when controlled by medication.; Veteran reported positive social functioning and employmen… [truncated, 256 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26025436","year":2026,"judge":"A. ISHIZAWAR","rationale":"No current diagnosis of insomnia disorder.; Insomnia found to be a component of persistent depressive disorder.; Medical evidence persuasively shows insomnia is part of depressive disorder, not standalone."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}