The veteran's service connection claim for the residuals of postoperative thyroid cancer is granted, as his testimony qualifies him as a radiation-exposed veteran and thyroid cancer is presumed to be attributable to this exposure.
The deciding factor: The veteran testified that he personally observed one of the multiple test detonations conducted at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) as part of Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE in 1953, qualifying him as a radiation-exposed veteran. Thyroid cancer is presumed to be attributable to any radiation-exposed veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative residuals of thyroid cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0843163
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 0843163.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
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The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim. The thyroid cancer secondary to exposure to depleted uranium was also denied as there is no evidence of radiation exposure.
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- Denied
The Board found that the veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
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