Thyroid disorder decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of the initial disability evaluations for her thyroid cancer residuals and left thumb laceration.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss or a seizure disorder, and there is no evidence of these conditions during service. The claim for PTSD warrants a 30 percent evaluation, but not higher. Hypothyroidism is currently rated as noncompensable. Hodgkin's disease is in remission.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain, chronic fatigue, memory loss and difficulty concentrating, sleep difficulties, chest pain, and a thyroid disorder due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims were based on the presumption of undiagnosed illnesses related to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding no evidence linking the veteran's death to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's overall disability picture from his service-connected thyroid disability does not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of her service-connected depression.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD no longer meets the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and determined he is not unemployable solely as a result of his service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the veteran requesting withdrawal of his appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, benign prostatic hypertrophy, thyroid problem, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions being incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 23, 2000 rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical incapacity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and compliance with Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 requirements.

The veteran's thyroid cancer with metastasis to the lymph nodes is granted service connection and presumed due to ionizing radiation exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a chronic acquired psychiatric, thyroid, heart, or hypertension disorder that is attributable to active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other procedural requirements.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, peripheral vascular disease, and thyroidectomy as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a rating of 10 percent for hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease), bilateral exophthalmia, and arthritis of the right shoulder.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence related to the veteran's service connection claim for a thyroid disability. The case will be returned to the RO for the requested development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as stomach condition) was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosed gastrointestinal disease in service or at any time thereafter, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for service personnel records regarding ionizing radiation exposure. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose and then reviewed again.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU for the period before July 23, 1998 due to a lack of evidence and procedural deficiencies.