{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hypothyroidism","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:55.193Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Hypothyroidism","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3461,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.2,"denied_pct":28,"remanded_pct":46.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":45.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":130,"granted_pct":7.7,"denied_pct":36.2,"remanded_pct":46.9},{"year":2018,"issues":206,"granted_pct":11.7,"denied_pct":30.6,"remanded_pct":52.9},{"year":2019,"issues":235,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":31.1,"remanded_pct":53.2},{"year":2020,"issues":296,"granted_pct":12.2,"denied_pct":33.1,"remanded_pct":52.4},{"year":2021,"issues":363,"granted_pct":33.9,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":40.8},{"year":2022,"issues":424,"granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":45.5},{"year":2023,"issues":515,"granted_pct":27.8,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":43.7},{"year":2024,"issues":532,"granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":46.8},{"year":2025,"issues":584,"granted_pct":21.1,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":45},{"year":2026,"issues":229,"granted_pct":26.6,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":44.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":55.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":398,"granted_pct_with":66.2,"granted_pct_without":41.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2384,"granted_pct_with":38.2,"granted_pct_without":66.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":536,"granted_pct_with":68,"granted_pct_without":39.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1719,"granted_pct_with":35.5,"granted_pct_without":57.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1065,"granted_pct_with":49.7,"granted_pct_without":43},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":270,"granted_pct_with":60.1,"granted_pct_without":43.8},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2502,"granted_pct_with":38.2,"granted_pct_without":65.6},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":67,"granted_pct_with":57.5,"granted_pct_without":45.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":205,"granted_pct_with":55.6,"granted_pct_without":44.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":142},{"reason":"hypothyroidism is presumptively linked to herbicide exposure","decisions":17},{"reason":"veteran diagnosed with hypothyroidism","decisions":10},{"reason":"presumed exposure to herbicide agents due to vietnam service","decisions":9},{"reason":"presumed exposure to herbicide agents","decisions":9},{"reason":"hypothyroidism rated under dc 7903","decisions":8}],"denied":[{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":77},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":76},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":69},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":62},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":25},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":13}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005121","year":2026,"judge":"M. TENNER","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis; 38 C.F.R. § 3.310 criteria met"},{"case_id":"A26040843","year":2026,"judge":"J. NICHOLS","rationale":"Granted as secondary to thyroid cancer; Hypothyroidism resulted from thyroidectomy; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26039277","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"Favorable findings from prior RO decision satisfy all elements for service connection.; Hypothyroidism is presumptively linked to herbicide exposure under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).; Board cannot remand to obtain evidence rebutting the presumption."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040755","year":2026,"judge":"K. PARAKKAL","rationale":"VA examinations found no signs or symptoms attributable to thyroid condition.; Veteran's lay testimony regarding fatigue and cold intolerance not as probative as medical evidence.; Six-month evaluation period for 30% rating expired long ago; no residuals or related disorders present."},{"case_id":"A26039672","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"Condition controlled by medication.; No symptoms met criteria for higher ratings.; No impact on ability to work."},{"case_id":"A26037887","year":2026,"judge":"J. KIRBY","rationale":"No evidence of in-service incurrence.; No positive nexus opinion linking condition to service or treatment.; Diagnosis made after AOJ decision; no duty to assist error."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}