Thyroid disorder decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive system disorder, including GERD and PUD, has been reopened. However, the evidence does not establish that his current psychiatric disorder is related to service.,Service connection cannot be established for diabetes mellitus as there was no in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The low back condition and bilateral knee condition have also not been shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for additional development of medical records.

The veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism is productive of fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness. The Board finds that these symptoms warrant a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including providing notice on reopening claims and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's thyroid cancer and her service.

The veteran's death was caused by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is moot as a result.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for post-operative mastoiditis or defective hearing. The claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, thyroid disability, and ear drum disability have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's surviving spouse is appealing several accrued benefits claims related to various conditions, including colitis, diabetic retinopathy, hepatitis C, thyroid disorder, and cardiovascular disorder. The appeal is currently in remand status due to inadequate VCAA notification.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, metastatic thyroid carcinoma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hyperthyroidism did not begin during his active military service and was not aggravated by such service. The evidence showed that the condition pre-existed his period of active duty from July 15, 2004 to August 13, 2004.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, left ankle degenerative arthrosis and necrosis, and bronchitis. The veteran's hearing loss was also rated as non-compensable.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The VA has determined that the appellant's hypothyroidism disability, which was initially granted in September 2002 and rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation. The current rating of 30 percent is appropriate given the symptoms reported by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the veteran's thyroid disorder and inadequate VA examination for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's current thyroid disorder and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's thyroid cancer is not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation from radar equipment. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and left shoulder arthritis, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hypothyroidism is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for thyroid cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran has a current diagnosis of hypothyroidism, which was present within one year of separation from service and meets the criteria for a 10% disability evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thyroid disability is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of all relevant medical evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a thyroid disorder in service or within the initial post-service year, and thus denied service connection for thyroid disorder.