The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid condition, attributing it to burn pit exposure during his deployment in Afghanistan. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's current hyperthyroidism and his service or burn pit exposure.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current hyperthyroidism and his service, including burn pit exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Thyroid condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23038764
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23038764.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thyroid disability. The claim will be readjudicated after these are obtained.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the June 2025 AOJ decision regarding entitlement to service connection for disabilities caused by thyroid is dismissed. The AOJ's denial of other claims (bilateral knee, shoulder, hip, neuropathy, and stomach ulcer) is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected low back and knee disabilities contributed to his obesity, which then contributed to his hypothyroidism. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a thyroid condition and remanded claims for a left thigh/femur condition and gastrointestinal condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.