Thyroid disorder decisions — 2008

The Board restored the veteran's non-service-connected disability pension eligibility, effective from January 1, 2006.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting thyroid disorder did not increase in severity during service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a nonunion fracture of the right medial malleolus due to new and material evidence. The veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by active military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hypothyroidism is related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate disorder were denied. The Board found that hypothyroidism was not related to service.,Service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy with urinary problems (prostate disorder) was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, and increased evaluation for hypothyroidism. The decision found that there was no evidence of lumbar radiculopathy or a basis to grant an increased rating for either disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders in August 2005. The veteran's claims for various other conditions have been remanded due to the need for a thorough medical examination.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and coronary artery disease. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for thyroid cancer, but also concluded that there was no medical evidence linking the current coronary artery disease to his active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of thyroid lobectomy and isthmusectomy. The issue of service connection for a heart condition secondary to the thyroid condition was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy as they are not among the disabilities presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder, which was secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation, has been granted. The effective date is April 26, 1989.

The veteran's hypothyroidism and high cholesterol are not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The veteran's cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome is not shown by the evidence to be a compensable disability.

The Board found that the veteran was exposed to VX and modified VX nerve agents during Project 112, but not mustard gas or radiation. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any current lung disorder, thyroid disorder, larynx disorder, hypertension, or bilateral ear disorder are related to service exposure.

The veteran's depression has been rated at 70 percent disabling, and his dry eye syndrome is assigned a noncompensable rating. The Board also found that the veteran meets criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypothyroidism, elevated cholesterol, and dermatophytosis. The Board found that these conditions were not proximately due to or caused by a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for medullary carcinoma of the right lobe of the thyroid and for an increased rating for asthma. The reduction in the evaluation for asthma was also denied.

The veteran's hypothyroidism is manifested by fatiguability, constipation, and mental sluggishness. The criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent have not been met.