{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/substance-use-disorders","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:01.427Z","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":"Substance use disorders","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":980,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.2,"denied_pct":27.3,"remanded_pct":49.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":43.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":79,"granted_pct":8.9,"denied_pct":43,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2018,"issues":130,"granted_pct":13.1,"denied_pct":30.8,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2019,"issues":123,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":30.1,"remanded_pct":51.2},{"year":2020,"issues":95,"granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":27.4,"remanded_pct":51.6},{"year":2021,"issues":79,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":34.2,"remanded_pct":40.5},{"year":2022,"issues":101,"granted_pct":25.7,"denied_pct":21.8,"remanded_pct":51.5},{"year":2023,"issues":125,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":20.8,"remanded_pct":56.8},{"year":2024,"issues":136,"granted_pct":30.1,"denied_pct":15.4,"remanded_pct":53.7},{"year":2025,"issues":126,"granted_pct":28.6,"denied_pct":27.8,"remanded_pct":43.7},{"year":2026,"issues":42,"granted_pct":31,"denied_pct":31,"remanded_pct":35.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":159,"granted_pct_with":73.8,"granted_pct_without":32.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":726,"granted_pct_with":41.2,"granted_pct_without":53},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":228,"granted_pct_with":82.7,"granted_pct_without":21.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":516,"granted_pct_with":38.3,"granted_pct_without":50.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":307,"granted_pct_with":62.4,"granted_pct_without":33},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":46,"granted_pct_with":70.4,"granted_pct_without":42.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":795,"granted_pct_with":44.1,"granted_pct_without":41.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":91,"granted_pct_with":65.6,"granted_pct_without":40.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":41},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":8},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"secondary to ptsd","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":24},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":20},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":18},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":16},{"reason":"criteria for service connection not met","decisions":9},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26035328","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"Alcohol use disorder found secondary to primary depressive disorder.; Substance abuse not considered willful misconduct when secondary to primary disability.; Evidence does not show direct service connection excluded due to willful misconduct."},{"case_id":"A26034386","year":2026,"judge":"A. JAEGER","rationale":"Private evaluation diagnosed cannabis use disorder, moderate.; Opined to have started in service and continued to present.; Proximately due to acquired psychiatric disorder."},{"case_id":"A26031228","year":2026,"judge":"MARTIN B. PETERS","rationale":"Private opinion linked polysubstance use disorder to PTSD.; Opinion found disorder at least as likely as not incurred in service."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038465","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER A. WENDELL","rationale":"Current diagnosis conceded; Service treatment records documented mental health evaluation; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service"},{"case_id":"A26035788","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"No in-service onset or nexus to service; Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection"},{"case_id":"A26031672","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"Tobacco use disorder not eligible for service connection; No indication of causation/aggravation by primary service-connected disability; Weight of evidence against service connection"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}