{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:11.093Z","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":"Tuberculosis pulmonary chronic","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3411,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":31.2,"remanded_pct":52.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":30.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":293,"granted_pct":13,"denied_pct":43.7,"remanded_pct":38.6},{"year":2018,"issues":471,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":39.9,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2019,"issues":510,"granted_pct":11.4,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":54.9},{"year":2020,"issues":475,"granted_pct":9.9,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":56},{"year":2021,"issues":367,"granted_pct":12.8,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":53.7},{"year":2022,"issues":370,"granted_pct":15.9,"denied_pct":23.8,"remanded_pct":57.6},{"year":2023,"issues":343,"granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":21,"remanded_pct":60.3},{"year":2024,"issues":326,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":23.6,"remanded_pct":55.2},{"year":2025,"issues":254,"granted_pct":17.3,"denied_pct":32.7,"remanded_pct":48},{"year":2026,"issues":108,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":40.7,"remanded_pct":38}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":299,"granted_pct_with":63.4,"granted_pct_without":25.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2339,"granted_pct_with":26.4,"granted_pct_without":47.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":444,"granted_pct_with":68,"granted_pct_without":22.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1535,"granted_pct_with":26.3,"granted_pct_without":35.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1045,"granted_pct_with":42,"granted_pct_without":24.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":209,"granted_pct_with":58.8,"granted_pct_without":28.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2578,"granted_pct_with":26.7,"granted_pct_without":50.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":88,"granted_pct_with":46.7,"granted_pct_without":30.5},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":143,"granted_pct_with":32.9,"granted_pct_without":30.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":66},{"reason":"presumptive service connection for lung cancer due to herbicide exposure","decisions":6},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":4},{"reason":"pact act presumptive service connection","decisions":3},{"reason":"lung cancer is presumptively linked to herbicide exposure","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":197},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":130},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":92},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":78},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":61},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":58}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039893","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"Favorable finding of current diagnosis is binding; Credible statements regarding chemical exposure consistent with MOS; Persuasive private medical opinion linking condition to exposures; Inadequate VA medical opinion; Evidence in approximate equipoise, resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26039590","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Veteran served in the Army from December 1968 to September 1970.; Veteran has a current diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis.; Veteran contends condition is due to herbicide exposure during service.; VA examination opined less likely than not caused by herbicide exposure.; Private physician opined more t… [truncated, 232 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26036526","year":2026,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Private medical records noted lung scarring from in-service pneumonia; Veteran's testimony of in-service pneumonia and treatment; Private medical opinion linked residuals to service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039631","year":2026,"judge":"LESLEY A. REIN","rationale":"No competent medical evidence of pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis; Objective medical evidence (HRCT, pulmonologist assessment) did not support diagnosis; Veteran's lay assertions of diagnosis were not probative without medical expertise"},{"case_id":"A26039085","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Pre-June 3, 2025 evidence did not meet criteria for >10% rating.; Post-June 3, 2025 evidence weighed against >60% rating.; VA PFT results (post-bronchodilator FVC 57%, FEV-1 66%) support 60% rating.; Private opinions lacked probative value due to speculation and ignoring risk factors."},{"case_id":"A26037109","year":2026,"judge":"J. KIRBY","rationale":"No current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis; VA examiner diagnosed multiple lung nodules; VA treatment records lack diagnosis"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}