Thyroid disorder decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case due to missing development and evidence, including a request for an opinion on service connection for thyroid cancer.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, hypertension, and a thyroid condition. The claim for increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus was granted with a 20% disability rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of hyperthyroidism status post partial thyroidectomy was denied. The claims for service connection for lumbar scoliosis with degenerative arthritis and osteoporosis were both reopened due to new evidence, but the direct service connection theories were not met.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. Service connection was denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's follicular carcinoma of the thyroid was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hypothyroidism due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease and parathyroid adenoma, finding that the diseases did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of skin cancer, myocardial infarction, status post removal of a Warthin tumor (thyroid glandular problems), PTSD, major depressive disorder, DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and arthritis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid carcinoma and parotid gland dysfunction secondary to thyroid cancer. The veteran's claims of dental disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination, as the veteran's condition may have changed since his last VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, jungle rot, and hypothyroidism were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for postoperative medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. The veteran's cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypothyroidism was incurred during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) between October 1993 and September 1994, and service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Grave's Disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current thyroid disorder and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hypothyroidism had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from September 1 to September 2, 2004. The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification on Medicare payments and outstanding balances, a request for a VA opinion regarding whether any condition treated was related to her service-connected disabilities, and the need to verify the veteran's contentions about ambulance diversion.

The Board has found that the veteran's service-connected Grave's disease with thyroid ablation and secondary hypothyroidism is productive of fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness. The criteria for a disability rating of 30 percent have been met.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hypothyroidism has been withdrawn. The case of the PTSD rating is remanded due to a pending issue.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, knee, breast cancer, and thyroid disabilities were denied. The RO also found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in a February 1998 rating decision regarding PTSD.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Court has vacated this decision and ordered a remand, requiring another dose estimate and medical opinion based on presumed exposure of 10 rads of radiation during active service.