Thyroid disorder decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder, pes planus, deviated nasal septum, and lung disability (including asthma) due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's death was attributed to multiple pulmonary emboli, with rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions contributing. The appeal is for service connection for the cause of death and dependent's educational assistance under Chapter 35. Further development is needed to obtain relevant medical records.

The veteran's service-connected sub-total thyroidectomy with exophthalmos requires continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of hypothyroidism symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to September 1, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease, hyperthyroidism, and Grave's disease as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back and thyroid disorders, finding no new and material evidence to reopen them.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multi-nodular thyroid disease, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and any incident of service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for papillary thyroid cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer due to radiation exposure, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with hypoparathyroidism was not due to an undiagnosed illness and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's thyroid disability had improved and no longer met the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation, thus denying restoration of his rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent, indicating total occupational and social impairment. Service connection for hypothyroidism and cancer/polyps of the throat are granted.

The veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism with tachycardia was granted and rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 13, 1996 for service connection and special monthly compensation due to exposure to Agent Orange.