Citation Nr: 18160571
Decision Date: 12/27/18	Archive Date: 12/27/18

DOCKET NO. 17-05 470
DATE:	December 27, 2018
ORDER
Service connection for Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism) is denied.
FINDING OF FACT
The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran’s Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) was incurred or aggravated during active service or active duty training.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for service connection for Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) have not been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 101, 1101, 1131, 5103, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.6, 3.102, 3.303 (2017).
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served in the United States Army from April 1999 to June 2007, with additional service in the Army Reserve.  
Service connection is warranted where the evidence of record establishes that a particular injury or disease resulting in disability was incurred in the line of duty in the active service or, if pre-existing such service, was aggravated thereby.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).  Generally, in order to prove service connection, there must be competent, credible evidence of (1) a current disability, (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of an injury or disease, and (3) a nexus, or link, between the current disability and the in-service disease or injury.  See, e.g., Davidson v. Shinseki, 581 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir. 2009); Pond v. West, 12 Vet. App. 341 (1999).
A claimant serving in a reserve unit may be service-connected for an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or for an injury incurred or aggravated during a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).  38 U.S.C. § 101(24) (B); 38 C.F.R. § 3.6(a).
VA is responsible for determining whether the evidence supports the claim or is in relative equipoise, with the Veteran prevailing in either event, or whether a preponderance of the evidence is against the claim, in which case the claim is denied.  38 U.S.C. § 5107; Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990).
The Veteran contends that her currently-diagnosed Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) is related to her military service.  
The Veteran’s active duty service treatment records (STRs) do not contain any complaints, symptoms, treatment, or diagnosis of a thyroid condition.  Records from July 2004, September 2005, January 2006, February 2006, and March 2007 specifically noted that there was no thyroid disease or abnormality present.  
Following her discharge from active service, the Veteran entered the Army Reserve.  VA medical records contained the first clinical indication of hyperthyroidism in January 2014.  She was subsequently diagnosed with Graves’ disease.  Given her condition, the military assigned her a temporary profile.  Later, she was given a permanent profile and a medical discharge.  She continues to undergo medication management and regular monitoring of her thyroid function.  
A VA/Department of Defense Identity Repository (VADIR) Information Report was obtained which outlined the Veteran’s periods of service.  The report confirmed that she had no periods of Army Reserve active service.  Further, a Chronological Statement of Retirement Points illustrated that she earned no active duty points from June 2013 to June 2014, confirming that her diagnosis of hyperthyroidism/Graves’ disease did not occur during a period of ACDUTRA.   
As the Veteran’s currently-diagnosed disease did not have its onset in active service or during a period of ACDUTRA, nor is it otherwise shown to be linked to military service, service connection is not warranted.

 
MICHAEL E. KILCOYNE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Rachel E. Jensen, Associate Counsel 

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