VA Law Explorer

Data stories

What BVA decisions show

Stories from the data behind VA Law Explorer. Every number comes straight from Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions.

Data story

Hypertension grants at the Board more than doubled between 2018 and 2025

The Board of Veterans' Appeals granted hypertension claims far more often in 2024 and 2025 than in 2018 and 2019, and it remanded fewer of them. Grants were more common when the record held a positive nexus opinion or a favorable VA exam.

10.7%→24.3%

of hypertension decisions granted, 2018–2019 compared with 2024–2025

Read the story

Data story

Radiculopathy secondary to a back condition: Board grants rose sharply after 2019

28.6%→55.9%

of radiculopathy claims secondary to a back condition granted, 2018–19 to 2024–25

Read the story

Data story

Tinnitus secondary to hearing loss wins far more often than tinnitus overall

41.4%→65.7%

granted, compared with all tinnitus decisions at the Board

Read the story

Data story

Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD: Board grants more than doubled since 2018

22.6%→47.8%

of sleep apnea claims secondary to PTSD granted, 2018 to 2026

Read the story

Data story

What evidence wins secondary service connection at the Board

35.5%→88.4%

granted on the merits, without and with a positive nexus opinion

Read the story

Data story

Why the Board sends more secondary claims back

46.0%→58.1%

of issues remanded, direct claims and secondary claims

Read the story

VA Law Explorer Weekly

New data stories, M21-1 and 38 CFR changes, and updates to the Board decision data, in one email a week. Free; unsubscribe anytime.

We send this newsletter only. See our privacy policy.