BVA decisions by condition
Hypothyroidism: BVA grant rates and what wins
From 2017 to 2026, the Board of Veterans' Appeals decided a hypothyroidism issue in 3,461 decisions. It granted the hypothyroidism issue in 23.2% of them, above the 19.4% grant rate for all conditions, denied it in 28.0%, and remanded it in 46.9%. Counting only decisions on the merits (granted or denied), 45.4% were granted.
Decisions
3,461
2017–2026
Granted
23.2%
All conditions: 19.4%
Granted on the merits
45.4%
Granted ÷ (granted + denied)
Remanded
46.9%
Denied: 28.0%
Hypothyroidism outcomes by year
| Year | Decisions | Granted | Denied | Remanded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 128 | 7.8% | 35.9% | 47.7% |
| 2018 | 206 | 11.7% | 30.6% | 52.9% |
| 2019 | 229 | 13.1% | 31.4% | 54.1% |
| 2020 | 289 | 12.1% | 33.9% | 52.6% |
| 2021 | 359 | 34.0% | 23.4% | 41.2% |
| 2022 | 415 | 27.5% | 24.6% | 46.5% |
| 2023 | 510 | 27.8% | 25.7% | 43.9% |
| 2024 | 520 | 27.7% | 24.2% | 47.5% |
| 2025 | 577 | 21.1% | 31.9% | 45.4% |
| 2026 | 228 | 26.8% | 27.2% | 44.7% |
Evidence in granted and denied hypothyroidism decisions
For each kind of supporting evidence: how often the Board granted the hypothyroidism issue on the merits when the decision mentioned it, compared with decisions that did not. These are associations, not causes, and evidence is recorded per decision, not per issue.
| In the record | Decisions | Granted when present | When absent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive nexus opinion | 536 | 68.0% | 39.6% | +28.3 pts |
| Favorable VA exam | 398 | 66.2% | 41.3% | +24.9 pts |
| Treating physician opinion | 270 | 60.1% | 43.8% | +16.3 pts |
| Combat service | 205 | 55.6% | 44.6% | +11.0 pts |
| Claimed as secondary | 567 | 54.9% | 43.9% | +10.9 pts |
| Private medical opinion | 1,065 | 49.7% | 43.0% | +6.7 pts |
| Lay statement | 2,502 | 38.2% | 65.6% | −27.3 pts |
- The Board applied the benefit-of-the-doubt rule (38 CFR 3.102) in 55.7% of the decisions that granted hypothyroidism.
- The Board found the veteran's statements credible in 22.1% of grants and 12.9% of denials.
Negative evidence in the record
An unfavorable exam or a negative nexus opinion often sits in the same record as favorable evidence, and the Board weighs them against each other. So these rows show how often hypothyroidism was still granted when the record contained the negative item, not that the item helped.
| In the record | Decisions | Granted when present | When absent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negative nexus opinion | 1,719 | 35.5% | 57.3% | −21.8 pts |
| Unfavorable VA exam | 2,384 | 38.2% | 66.3% | −28.1 pts |
Why the Board granted or denied hypothyroidism
Most common reasons in grants
- Current diagnosis established142
- Hypothyroidism is presumptively linked to herbicide exposure17
- Veteran diagnosed with hypothyroidism10
- Presumed exposure to herbicide agents due to vietnam service9
- Presumed exposure to herbicide agents9
- Hypothyroidism rated under DC 79038
- Conceded herbicide exposure8
- Presumption of herbicide exposure applies7
Most common reasons in denials
- Service records negative or silent77
- No in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis76
- Preponderance of the evidence against the claim69
- VA examiner: less likely than not related to service62
- No current diagnosis25
- No continuity of symptomatology13
- No evidence of myxedema12
- Current diagnosis established12
Numbers are decisions that gave the reason. Reasons are short phrases extracted by AI from each decision; common wordings of the same reason are grouped. Benefit of the doubt is reported above.
Recent hypothyroidism decisions
Granted
Secondary to service-connected chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis; 38 C.F.R. § 3.310 criteria met
Granted as secondary to thyroid cancer; Hypothyroidism resulted from thyroidectomy; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor
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
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.
Condition controlled by medication.; No symptoms met criteria for higher ratings.; No impact on ability to work.
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.
Rules that apply to hypothyroidism claims
- 38 CFR 3.303
Principles of service connection
Read it in VA Law Explorer - 38 CFR 3.310
Secondary service connection and aggravation
Read it in VA Law Explorer - 38 CFR 3.102
Reasonable doubt (benefit of the doubt)
Read it in VA Law Explorer
Research your hypothyroidism case
Narrow by year, judge, evidence or secondary condition, read the decisions, and export a research memo.
How these numbers are calculated
- Rates count decisions in which the Board decided a hypothyroidism issue, by the outcome of that issue. Other issues in the same decision can have different outcomes.
- “Granted on the merits” leaves out remands and dismissals. “All conditions” is the grant share across every condition issue in the data.
- The data comes from CaseScribe's AI extraction of public BVA decisions (2017–2026) and can contain errors. It is updated automatically as new decisions are added.