{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/tibia-and-fibula-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.541Z","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":"Tibia and fibula impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1226,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":18.8,"denied_pct":31.2,"remanded_pct":50.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":37.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":94,"granted_pct":14.9,"denied_pct":24.5,"remanded_pct":54.3},{"year":2018,"issues":176,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":49.4},{"year":2019,"issues":210,"granted_pct":16.2,"denied_pct":32.9,"remanded_pct":48.1},{"year":2020,"issues":225,"granted_pct":18.7,"denied_pct":35.6,"remanded_pct":44.4},{"year":2021,"issues":165,"granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":33.3,"remanded_pct":47.9},{"year":2022,"issues":157,"granted_pct":18.5,"denied_pct":10.8,"remanded_pct":69.4},{"year":2023,"issues":211,"granted_pct":22.7,"denied_pct":24.6,"remanded_pct":51.7},{"year":2024,"issues":189,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":29.1,"remanded_pct":50.8},{"year":2025,"issues":164,"granted_pct":23.2,"denied_pct":35.4,"remanded_pct":41.5},{"year":2026,"issues":80,"granted_pct":28.8,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":37.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":55.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":141,"granted_pct_with":55,"granted_pct_without":34.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":901,"granted_pct_with":35.3,"granted_pct_without":48.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":130,"granted_pct_with":56.3,"granted_pct_without":35.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":503,"granted_pct_with":30,"granted_pct_without":43.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":296,"granted_pct_with":36,"granted_pct_without":38.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":49,"granted_pct_with":52.2,"granted_pct_without":37.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1003,"granted_pct_with":38.1,"granted_pct_without":35.5},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":45,"granted_pct_with":46.7,"granted_pct_without":37.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":10},{"reason":"rated by analogy under dc 5262","decisions":4},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":4},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":34},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":33},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":16},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":14},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":7}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040529","year":2026,"judge":"M. HYLAND","rationale":"New and material evidence submitted; Supports direct service connection; Resolving reasonable doubt in veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26038876","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Instability and pain were predominant symptoms.; DC 5262 (impairment of tibia and fibula) is more appropriate by analogy than DC 5271.; Symptoms more nearly depicted marked disability (30 percent) under DC 5262."},{"case_id":"A26034315","year":2026,"judge":"P.M. DILORENZO","rationale":"Severance of service connection requires clear and unmistakable error.; September 2020 VA opinion found inadequate for failing to address aggravation and all treatment records.; Conflicting evidence regarding nexus and aggravation means severance burden not met."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040371","year":2026,"judge":"L. M. BARNARD","rationale":"Criteria for initial compensable rating not met"},{"case_id":"A26033382","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN J. CROWLEY","rationale":"No current diagnosis of a left leg disability.; No service treatment records or post-service treatment records reflecting a left leg disability.; No diagnosis of left leg stress fracture or tibial/fibular impairment."},{"case_id":"A26029634","year":2026,"judge":"L.M. YASUI","rationale":"No evidence of nonunion or approximating symptoms; Evidence did not support higher rating; Existing 30% rating for impairment considered adequate"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}