The Veteran's goiter disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features or two or three characteristics of disfigurement.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's goiter disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of evidence of visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features as required by the 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- goiter
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2021
- Citation
- 21077545
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 21077545.
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 claim for service connection for residuals hyperthyroidism, s/p surgery for goiter excision is being remanded due to inadequate medical examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability, including hypothyroidism and goiter, finding that it is related to herbicide exposure during active duty in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine whether there is any disfigurement associated with the Veteran's service-connected goiter, specifically addressing her assertion that it is more visible when she speaks.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg and foot disabilities, varicose veins, heart disability, hypertension, hysterectomy, menopause, incontinence, bilateral eye disability, and psychiatric disability (to include depression) were all denied service connection. The case was remanded for additional development.,Service connection for sleep apnea, a heart disability, hypertension, a hysterectomy, menopause, hormonal changes, incontinence, and a bilateral eye disability is also being remanded.
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