Thyroid disorder decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for hypertension and finds no evidence of a nexus between his current hypothyroidism and his period of active service or any service-connected disability. The veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board grants a 100 percent rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability, any association with service or exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disorder and denied his claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism.

The veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent, and his arthralgias and myalgias are rated at 10 percent. Both conditions have been granted.

The Board denied the appellant's higher rating claim for her thyroid disability, which was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective February 2, 1994.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's thyroid disorder to her service and denied her claim for service connection.,For her uterine fibroids, the RO granted a noncompensable disability rating in 1988. The veteran appealed this decision, and the Board upheld it in 1992. She then requested an increased rating, which was denied by the RO in 1996. In 1997, she received a 30% disability rating effective November 14, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's thyroid disability, which resulted in some constipation and required medication, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disorder and a skin disorder, both claimed as due to ionizing radiation exposure. The competent medical evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of cancer of the larynx and a thyroid disorder is being remanded due to incomplete development regarding exposure to mustard gas, herbicides, and other chemicals during his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially to cause by service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings on appeal were denied. The denial of service connection for hyperthyroidism, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia was also noted.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the service-connected hypothyroidism with Schmidt's syndrome, which is more nearly approximates the criteria for that rating.

The Board denied service connection for a benign tumor in the neck area, diagnosed as a neurolemmoma of the vagus nerve and for right vocal cord paralysis secondary to removal of that tumor.,There is no evidence of a pre-service diagnosis or exposure to herbicides. The tumors were removed post-service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation from the Nevada Test Site during basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado is being remanded for further development. The Under Secretary for Health will prepare a dose estimate of his total exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, duodenal ulcer, hyperthyroidism, and prostatitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lacerated left ring finger and a thyroid condition, to include as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, must be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, as claimed secondary to radiation exposure during service. The evidence did not support a link between the current conditions and active service.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for hypothyroidism effective November 28, 2003. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 5, 1999 is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's thyroid nodule is related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, sinusitis (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness), fibromyositis (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness), thyroid disorder, and skin disorder. The appeals are granted.