The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and thyroid disorder. The Veteran's back disability is not shown to have had onset in service or within one year of discharge. Hypertension and thyroid disorder are not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's hypertension as it did not manifest during service or within a post-service year, nor is there evidence linking it to service. The same applies to his thyroid disorder.,The Board found no direct link between the Veteran's current thyroid disorder and service.
The deciding factor: There was insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran’s back disability and service, as well as no evidence of onset or continuity of symptomatology. Hypertension and thyroid disorders were not shown to have had their onset in service or within one year following discharge.,The Board determined that there is no direct link between the Veteran's hypertension and service due to lack of evidence linking it to any aspect of service, including Agent Orange exposure. The same applies to his thyroid disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, hypertension, thyroid disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20065285
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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