Thyroid disorder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for parathyroid adenoma, adenomatous nodule of the thyroid, a condition of the salivary parotid glands, and lesions of the transverse colon due to lack of evidence of radiation exposure in service or a link between the disability and service.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for service-connected hypothyroidism and denied a higher evaluation for the right wrist disability.

The Board found that the cause of death, aspiration pneumonia, was not related to service-connected disability and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC benefits.

The veteran's claims for automobile and adaptive equipment, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, and service connection for PTSD were denied as she does not meet the criteria for these benefits due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer with metastases of lymph nodes in the neck as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there is no relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for hypothyroidism and alopecia totalis, with brittle nails, both to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, back to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence regarding exposure to chemicals and radiation during service. The veteran's claim for service connection is pending.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including senile dementia, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, diverticulitis, status post myocardial infarction, anemia, status post ostomy, and glaucoma.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of resection of adenocarcinoma of the thyroid, and his claim for a TDIU during certain periods were denied as there was no evidence of recurrence or severe hypothyroidism.

The Board has denied service connection for a thyroid disorder and COPD, but granted service connection for hepatitis C. The veteran's thyroid disorder is not linked to active service or a service-connected condition. Hepatitis C was likely incurred during active military service due to exposure to the virus. COPD is not related to active service.

The veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of a seizure disorder, degenerative joint disease of the spine, hypertension, skin disorder, eye disorder, organic brain syndrome, PTSD, hypothyroidism, hyperuricism, or disorders of the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, hips, legs, thighs, knees, ankles, feet, and toes that were incurred in service. The veteran is already receiving a 10% rating for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not show a direct nexus between the veteran's claimed disability and service, nor did it establish exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her CTS disabilities were granted. Service connection was established for a thyroid disorder, cervical spine disorder, and RSD of the left upper extremity (secondary to CTS).

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran regarding exposure to ionizing radiation in service, which may affect the reopening of his claim for service connection for hypothyroidism. The RO must also complete any necessary development related to the claimed condition under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.311(b)(4).

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a connection between the veteran's current disabilities and his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran did not acquire nicotine dependence during his active duty service and denied all claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability and her non-toxic multinodular goiter is not service-connected. The claims for increased ratings of right ankle strain and thoracic spine injury with traumatic degenerative changes are also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hypothyroidism did not result in constipation, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's follicular cell cancer post-thyroidectomy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is denied. The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible level of 50%.