Citation Nr: 20019902 Decision Date: 03/17/20 Archive Date: 03/17/20 DOCKET NO. 14-34 752 DATE: March 17, 2020 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), as secondary to service-connected residuals, thyroid cancer with hypothyroidism s/p total thyroidectomy, is granted. FINDING OF FACT The Veteran’s NHL is aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected residuals, thyroid cancer with hypothyroidism s/p total thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for NHL as secondary to service-connected residuals, thyroid cancer with hypothyroidism s/p total thyroidectomy are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.310 (2019). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran served on active duty from October 1983 to October 1987, and from July 2007 to August 2008. In March 2018, this matter was remanded by the Board for further development. At that time, also before the Board were the issues of entitlement to service connection for: (1) a neck injury causing bulging of spine disability; (2) a bilateral knee disability; and (3) a left ear hearing loss disability. In November 2019, these issues were granted by the AOJ. See Rating decision, November 2019. As these grants constitute full grants of the benefits sought, they are no longer before the Board. In October 2017, the Veteran and his spouse testified under oath at a travel board hearing in Detroit, Michigan, before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the hearing is of record. Entitlement to service connection for NHL, as secondary to service-connected residuals, thyroid cancer with hypothyroidism s/p total thyroidectomy, is granted. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for NHL based on secondary service connection. First, the Veteran has a diagnosis of NHL, in remission. See VA examination, September 2019. Second, the Veteran is service-connected for residuals, thyroid cancer with hypothyroidism s/p total thyroidectomy. See Rating decision, April 2013. Finally, the Veteran’s present disability was aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected disability. Specifically, the September 2019 VA examiner explained: His thyroid cancer was treated with surgery and radioactive iodine. It is known that radioactive iodine can be associated with the occurrence of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As his recurrence occurred after his radioactive iodine treatment it is at least as likely as not that his treatment for thyroid cancer aggravated his lymphoma, requiring additional chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. The Board finds the VA examiner’s opinion to be competent and credible. The Board acknowledges other opinions of record, but these only address service connection on a direct basis. Accordingly, they are not pertinent to the question of secondary service connection. The Veteran meets all three criteria for service connection on a secondary basis. Therefore, the issue is granted. E. I. VELEZ Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Foster, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.