{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/sleep-disturbances","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:01.061Z","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 disturbances","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":574,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":35.9,"remanded_pct":48.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":26.2,"by_year":[{"year":2018,"issues":30,"granted_pct":6.7,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2019,"issues":57,"granted_pct":3.5,"denied_pct":35.1,"remanded_pct":59.6},{"year":2020,"issues":59,"granted_pct":6.8,"denied_pct":57.6,"remanded_pct":33.9},{"year":2021,"issues":67,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":43.3},{"year":2022,"issues":53,"granted_pct":5.7,"denied_pct":35.8,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2023,"issues":58,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":31,"remanded_pct":44.8},{"year":2024,"issues":97,"granted_pct":17.5,"denied_pct":25.8,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2025,"issues":113,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":34.5,"remanded_pct":52.2},{"year":2026,"issues":35,"granted_pct":22.9,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":34.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":65.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":98,"granted_pct_with":46.2,"granted_pct_without":20.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":455,"granted_pct_with":23.1,"granted_pct_without":45.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":108,"granted_pct_with":45.2,"granted_pct_without":19.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":309,"granted_pct_with":22.8,"granted_pct_without":31.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":152,"granted_pct_with":22.6,"granted_pct_without":27.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":504,"granted_pct_with":24.9,"granted_pct_without":40.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":60,"granted_pct_with":28.6,"granted_pct_without":25.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":5},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":4},{"reason":"va examiner opinion found persuasive","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":37},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":14},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":11},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":6},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":5}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037763","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"Private medical opinion persuasive; Tinnitus proximate cause of insomnia; Secondary to service-connected tinnitus"},{"case_id":"A26030387","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Competent and credible lay evidence supports onset during service.; Evidence in approximate balance regarding onset during service.; Benefit of the doubt afforded to the Veteran."},{"case_id":"A26028688","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"Evidence in relative equipoise; Reasonable doubt resolved in veteran's favor; Favorable November 2024 VA opinion linking insomnia to deployment stress"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038504","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"No diagnosis or treatment for sleep apnea; Sleep disturbances claimed secondary to non-service-connected PTSD; Counselor's opinion not probative; No current disability demonstrated"},{"case_id":"A26038183","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Insufficient evidence; No in-service event identified; No nexus to service or service-connected disability"},{"case_id":"A26037917","year":2026,"judge":"REBECCA N. POULSON","rationale":"No current sleep disturbance disability established; Service records silent on sleep issues; VA examiner found no DSM-5 criteria met for insomnia disorder"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}