The Board found no evidence of a chronic thyroid or endocrine disorder in service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that the Veteran's diagnosed non-malignant thyroid nodular disease (goiter) and Grave's Disease is etiologically related to his active service.
The deciding factor: There was no documented onset of Graves Disease within a year of discharge from service, and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of direct service connection or due to exposure to ionizing radiation or toxic chemicals during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Graves Disease, Non-malignant thyroid nodular disease (Goiter)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2013
- Citation
- 1336879
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1336879.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypothyroidism is denied as the condition was already in receipt of a compensable rating from the day following separation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's thyroid conditions, including thyroid cancer, Grave's Disease, and hypothyroidism, are found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). Service connection is granted for these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for gynecomastia and thyroid disorder (Graves Disease) as the evidence did not establish a current disability or a causal relationship to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were partially granted, with some issues being remanded for further review.
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