Thyroid disorder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, skin condition (including as due to Agent Orange exposure), and hypothyroidism (including as due to Agent Orange exposure) are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or association with these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for hypothyroidism, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for salivary gland dysfunction, a 10 percent rating for epilepsy syndrome from May 10, 2002 to January 23, 2006, and after January 24, 2006, the veteran's epilepsy syndrome was rated at 10 percent. The RO also denied increased ratings for residuals of pharynx cancer and right neck skin condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney donation during active duty for training (ADT) may be considered a line of duty injury, and he is granted service connection for residuals of left nephrectomy. The other claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and bilateral pelvic pain. The appeals regarding these issues are dismissed as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining records from the Aberdeen Proving Ground and requesting clinical records from Fort Dev

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and thyroid disorder due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The decision on hearing loss remains pending, while the thyroid disorder claim is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of multi-nodular thyroid disease, posterior subcapsular cataracts, and skin cancer of the upper lip as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The case is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the extent of the veteran's right knee disability, cervical spondylosis, and residuals of thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy. The RO will then review the claims again.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, which is presumed to have been incurred as a result of the veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The other claims remain pending and will be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, depression, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus due to lack of corroborating evidence and insufficient medical support. The diagnoses were based on reported history rather than documented history.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease as secondary to his service-connected allergic reaction to bee-stings. The Board also denied a higher rating for the service-connected allergic reaction to bee-stings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hypothyroidism is not related to his period of service and does not qualify for presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim is therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and reviewing the expanded record to include all additional evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertensive vascular disease, finding that the conditions did not manifest in service or were not related to any aspect of service including exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to determine the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination to assess the veteran's disabilities.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under current criteria.,The psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder) is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available under current criteria. The RO increased this rating to 30 percent in November 1997.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine disability, hypoparathyroidism, and postoperative residuals of thyroidectomy. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.