The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer and BPH are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that either condition was caused by diabetes.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.
The deciding factor: VA examiners found no evidence linking the Veteran’s thyroid cancer or BPH to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The examiner also opined that it was less likely than not that BPH was caused by diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- Thyroid Cancer, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1737631
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 1737631.
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 granted service connection for thyroid cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service is related to his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, but has remanded his claim for BPH due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's thyroid cancer was granted a 100% rating effective December 28, 2021. The claim for increased thyroid cancer ratings is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded both the service connection claims for thyroid cancer residuals and hypothyroidism due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, as well as contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran will need a TERA-specific examination to assess his total exposure through all deployments.
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