The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder is denied as the evidence does not show that his current diagnosis of hypothyroidism began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and left shoulder conditions are also denied. The preponderance of the evidence shows no more than a 10 percent disability rating prior to January 15, 2020, and a 20 percent disability rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or findings related to thyroid issues. His current diagnosis of hypothyroidism was first noted in September 2009, years after his separation from active duty. The evidence does not establish a link between the Veteran’s current condition and his military service.,The VA examination reports indicate that the Veteran's low back disorder is manifested by limited range of motion without ankylosis or other severe functional impairment during the periods considered. While he reported flare-ups, these did not result in flexion to 30 degrees or less with or without flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Thyroid Disorder, Low Back Disorder (Lumbar Spine), Left Shoulder Bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21009748
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 21009748.
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 Board denied service connection for GERD and Thyroid Disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,Both conditions were determined to be unrelated to military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and polycythemia vera were dismissed due to procedural issues. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence having been received since a previous denial.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
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