Thyroid disorder decisions — 2000

The veteran died of hepato renal syndrome due to cirrhosis of the liver. The cause of death was not found to be related to his service-connected psoriasis.

The veteran's death was caused by suicide, which the Board found to be due to service-connected disabilities and personal legal problems.,The veteran had a combined 100% disability rating for his service-connected conditions from April 1989 until his death in April 1998.

The Board denied service connection for multinodular goiter of the thyroid and basal cell carcinoma of the nose, both claimed as secondary to radiation exposure during active service.

The veteran's postoperative thyroid cancer with metastasis to the neck and traumatic neuroma is currently rated at 30 percent, which is not higher than what is warranted based on the current evidence. The scars of the neck are rated at 10 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant does not qualify for restoration of special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her disabilities, which do not meet the specific criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid condition, pancreatic condition, spleen condition, and degenerative arthritis, all secondary to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The VA denied service connection for the cause of death due to exposure to Agent Orange and Bromacil, finding no evidence linking these exposures to the veteran's thyroid cancer.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claim for service connection for unspecified disability or disabilities as a result of cigarette smoking during active military service and/or nicotine dependence acquired during active military service. The claim was denied because there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Board found no current evidence of thyroid disease and denied service connection for a thyroid disorder. The veteran's neck scar was rated at 10% based on the current medical findings, but the Board concluded that there is no current diagnosis of thyroid disease to support an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and an original compensable evaluation for a scar disability. The scar disability was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board finds that there is not a reasonable possibility of valid claims concerning the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, bilateral eye disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, asthma, low back disability, hypoglycemia, bilateral hand and ankle disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, acquired cognitive disorder, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and residuals of Epstein-Barr virus infection. These conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for anxiety neurosis. The claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic lung disease as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, hypotesticularosteopenia or loss of bone mass, a mid and upper back disorder, human adjuvant disease with peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected removal of the right testicle with testicular silicone implant; ulcers as secondary to medications prescribed for service-connected disability; and chronic fatigue syndrome are supported by cognizable evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is not supported by cognizable evidence showing it is plausible or capable of substantiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no competent medical evidence linking her claimed disabilities to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and has also remanded the issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an eye disorder due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for dependency and indemnity compensation for the cause of the veteran's death is not well grounded. The death was caused by natural causes, with no evidence linking it to VA care.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, thyroid disorder, and atrial fibrillation. The claim for pulmonary tuberculosis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Claims for thyroid disorder and atrial fibrillation were found to be not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypothyroidism is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and granted this claim.

The Board found that the veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TRIU) should be restored due to clear and unmistakable error in the July 20, 1989 decision which denied it. The TRIU was granted effective September 1, 1986.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hyperthyroidism was currently rated appropriately at 10 percent. The claims for a hiatal hernia, chronic pulmonary disorder, hypertension, and bilateral cataracts were also denied as not well-grounded.