The veteran's papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease) of the left thumb were not shown during service or within a year following discharge, and are not otherwise related to service. The cancers have been attributed to radiation exposure based on the dose estimate provided by the Air Force.
The deciding factor: The cancers were not shown during service or within a year following discharge from service, and are not otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease) of the left thumb
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2008
- Citation
- 0828586
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0828586.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for esophageal cancer and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, finding that exposure to toxic pollutants from incinerators during active duty is related to these conditions. The PACT Act presumption applies due to the Veteran's top-secret work at the ASA Field Station in Germany.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to additional evidence received and the PACT Act, which requires a TERA-specific examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypothyroidism, resulting from a thyroidectomy due to papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, is granted as service connected based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two cases: one for Graves' disease and the other for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, both related to in-service exposure to radiation from missile control systems. The examiner is required to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by this exposure.
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