The Board found that the Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer did not manifest during service or within a year of discharge, and thus could not be granted service connection under direct or presumptive provisions. However, due to his exposure to non-ionizing radiation while on active duty, he was able to take advantage of special development procedures for 'radiogenic diseases' such as thyroid cancer. The Board concluded that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer developed over two decades after his discharge from service and there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking it to his military service, including exposure to non-ionizing radiation.
- Claimed conditions
- papillary thyroid cancer
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1704414
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 1704414.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer and obstructive sleep apnea claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for papillary thyroid cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for papillary thyroid cancer as it is not etiologically related to the Veteran's active military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an effective date prior to August 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for residuals of papillary thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy. However, the claim is remanded due to a lack of adequate medical evidence regarding the Veteran's most recent treatment and when he last received radioactive iodine treatment.
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