Thyroid disorder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to asbestos exposure, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of shrapnel wounds to the face. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of any of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating increase in excess of the assigned percentages.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders and thyroid cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange are denied. His claim for a higher rating for pericarditis and coronary artery disease is also denied, but his effective date issue remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bleeding of the ears and anxiety disorder. The decision also addressed his claims for thyroid condition, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and pain problems due to herbicide exposure, but did not reach a final determination on these issues as they were referred to the RO.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded for further development.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, but only for the period after July 23, 1998.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating, but his claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and dermatitis were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for proper VCAA notification and compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of thyroid cancer, or peripheral neuropathy. The claims were previously denied in June 1994 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility in February 1999 was denied because the treatment was for a non-service-connected condition. The AOJ will need to obtain additional VA records and review them, including an opinion from the Chief Medical Officer.