The Veteran's Graves' disease, laryngeal nerve damage with dysphonia and dysphagia, and related conditions are not service-connected. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners were against the Veteran's claims, concluding that his current conditions were either unrelated to service or due to known risk factors associated with thyroid surgery and exposure to non-ionized radiation. The Board found no evidence of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar fault on part of VA.
- Claimed conditions
- Graves' disease, dysphonia, dysphagia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23000547
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 23000547.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia with gastritis and dysphagia, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a duty to assist error. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder claim will be reconsidered with the inclusion of all relevant private medical records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for Graves' disease and a need for an addendum opinion on the etiology of the condition.
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