Thyroid disorder decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for post gingivectomy of the upper and lower jaw was denied as there is no evidence of bony abnormalities or functional impairment.,Service connection for thyroid disability was also denied, with the Board noting that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has reviewed the evidence and found no service connection for thyroid cancer or degenerative joint disease of multiple joints, as there is insufficient medical evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The VA granted an increased rating of 30 percent for hypopituitarism and hypothyroidism effective June 14, 2002. The RO also denied service connection for melanoma as secondary to the service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the nose and face, thyroid cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that these conditions did not have their onset during active duty or for many years thereafter, were not disabling to a compensable degree during the first post-service year, and are not etiologically related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, claimed as thyroid disease, due to ionizing radiation exposure in service. The case is being remanded for further development including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chronic otitis media and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the remand section.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vaginal problems, mitral valve prolapse, hysterectomy, thyroid disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic hypoglycemia. The decision also addressed a claim for Epstein-Barr virus but did not address it in detail.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a specialist regarding whether the veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his service and exposure to herbicides. The veteran will need to provide further evidence if needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current fractured thyroid cartilage is related to a traumatic incident during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability and service connection for anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid due to radiation exposure, as there was insufficient evidence linking the cancer to his active service or radiation exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a thyroid disorder and low back disability, as well as his increased ratings for right knee and ankle disabilities. The RO also remanded the issue of a compensable rating for a right tibia scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disorder and a genitourinary disability, both claimed as secondary to exposure to herbicides. The Board found no current disabilities and concluded that there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and considering the veteran's claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypothyroidism and hypogonadism, finding that the earliest possible effective date is May 21, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including tension headaches and exertional dyspnea, are not related to his active service.,Service connection for a thyroid condition was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism, finding that her symptoms of fatigue, constipation, and mental sluggishness warrant this rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's hypothyroidism does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as he requires continuous medication for control and currently has no symptoms or abnormal laboratory studies.