{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/ulcerative-colitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:20.295Z","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":"Ulcerative colitis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1210,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.8,"denied_pct":28.8,"remanded_pct":47.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":43.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":81,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":38.3,"remanded_pct":43.2},{"year":2018,"issues":134,"granted_pct":9.7,"denied_pct":36.6,"remanded_pct":51.5},{"year":2019,"issues":159,"granted_pct":17.6,"denied_pct":29.6,"remanded_pct":49.1},{"year":2020,"issues":131,"granted_pct":22.1,"denied_pct":38.9,"remanded_pct":37.4},{"year":2021,"issues":134,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":46.3},{"year":2022,"issues":126,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":46.8},{"year":2023,"issues":145,"granted_pct":26.2,"denied_pct":20.7,"remanded_pct":48.3},{"year":2024,"issues":128,"granted_pct":26.6,"denied_pct":21.9,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2025,"issues":142,"granted_pct":31,"denied_pct":23.2,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2026,"issues":52,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":17.3,"remanded_pct":57.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":72.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":146,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":38.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":867,"granted_pct_with":40,"granted_pct_without":55},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":200,"granted_pct_with":66,"granted_pct_without":36.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":598,"granted_pct_with":38.9,"granted_pct_without":47.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":411,"granted_pct_with":54.8,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":124,"granted_pct_with":73.7,"granted_pct_without":37.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":953,"granted_pct_with":43.5,"granted_pct_without":41.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":66,"granted_pct_with":48,"granted_pct_without":42.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":21},{"reason":"moderately severe symptoms with frequent exacerbations","decisions":5},{"reason":"ulcerative colitis rated under dc 7323","decisions":3},{"reason":"no contrary evidence","decisions":2},{"reason":"onset during service","decisions":2},{"reason":"severe symptoms with numerous attacks per year","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":34},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":34},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":28},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":26},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":22},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038715","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Veteran's Crohn's disease rated 30% under DC 7323 (ulcerative colitis, moderately severe symptoms); 60% rating warranted for severe symptoms with numerous attacks and malnutrition; No marked malnutrition, anemia, debility, or serious complications found to warrant higher rating"},{"case_id":"A26025759","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Evidence evenly balanced for 60% rating; Managed with biologic agent (Humira); Recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea episodes"},{"case_id":"A26024766","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Private treatment records show treatment with prednisone for flare-ups, symptoms of pain, bleeding, and diarrhea.; Veteran reported 3-10 bowel movements per day during flare-ups, and was unable to leave the bathroom.; Private provider noted anemia based on bloodwork, which the Board found persuasive… [truncated, 36 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039520","year":2026,"judge":"A. P. SIMPSON","rationale":"VA treatment records and examinations from October 2020, April 2021, and July 2022 were found most probative.; Evidence did not consistently support severe symptoms with malnutrition and numerous attacks.; October 2020 and April 2021 VA examiners found no weight loss or malnutrition.; September 2022… [truncated, 102 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26034947","year":2026,"judge":"R. FEINBERG","rationale":"Service treatment records silent as to ulcerative colitis.; VA examiner opined less likely than not related to service.; No medical evidence links TERA to ulcerative colitis.; Veteran's lay opinion on etiology not probative."},{"case_id":"A26032189","year":2026,"judge":"L.M. YASUI","rationale":"No gastrointestinal complaints or treatment in service treatment records.; Separation examination normal for gastrointestinal issues.; No evidence of in-service onset or nexus to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}