Thyroid disorder decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, immune deficiency syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, major depression, and prostatitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied DIC benefits.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid condition. The Board finds that additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination, is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims to reopen her service connection claims for urticaria, retinal detachment, right Bartholin abscess, uterine dysfunction with bleeding and uterine myoma, hypertensive heart disease, residuals of thyroidectomy, anasarca, and cervical radiculopathy have been denied because she has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum incurred during active duty. The remaining issues on appeal regarding higher ratings for various service-connected conditions are remanded to the RO.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and post-operative residuals of thyroid cancer, finding no current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's thyroid cancer was neither incurred in nor aggravated by his active duty military service, may not be presumed to have been incurred during such service, and is not due to exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection for thyroid cancer was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including adjudicating service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board found that the veteran's hypothyroidism was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor can it be presumed due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA examiner noted normal thyroid function during service and concluded that there is no causal link between the veteran's current condition and his military duties.

The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver prior to July 2, 2001 and a rating greater than 60 percent from July 2, 2001. The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and thyroid disorder are found to be proximately due to or the result of service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and thyroid disability as secondary to his service-connected peptic ulcer disease.

The veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid disease is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is aggravated by the pancreatitis. Hypercholesterolemia, hypokalemia, and diverticulosis are not shown to be separate disabilities or currently present. Depression was not caused or aggravated by the pancreatitis. The veteran's current rating for pancreatitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's genitourinary system disability, characterized as chronic nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis with hypercalciuria and renal leak-type secondary to hyperparathyroidism and congenital medullary sponge kidney, warrants a 60 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101. The veteran's chipped fracture of the left distal fibula is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including referral of the veteran's claims folder to a medical specialist and production of an opinion consistent with VCAA. The issue is whether service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to cause the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on muscular weakness or mental disturbances.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional action by the RO, including obtaining private medical records and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hypothyroidism, which he claims is a result of VA medical treatment in 1974 and 1975. The Board has remanded the case to determine if the current condition resulted from the VA care.