The Board has granted service connection for breast cancer and thyroid cancer, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her active service, including exposure to radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear accident while stationed in Germany.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided positive nexus opinions stating that the Veteran's breast and thyroid cancers were incurred in or caused by exposure to radiation from the April 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Accident while stationed in Germany.
- Claimed conditions
- breast cancer, thyroid cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21029208
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 21029208.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for breast cancer, as secondary to her fibrocystic breast disease. The decision is based on a duty to assist error and requires a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's breast cancer.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and associated residuals (claimed as testicular cancer) and thyroid cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service or exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypothyroidism is granted as secondary to his service-connected thyroid cancer, which was caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service.
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