Thyroid disorder decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the cancer to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, but there is no service-connected disability that can be linked to these causes.,The veteran had Recognized Guerilla Service and his death does not qualify him for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and Type II diabetes mellitus, as well as his service connection claims for Ménire's disease, hypertension, cardiovascular-renal disease, kidney stones, thyroid tumor, arthritis, ulcer (gastric-peptic), and hepatitis C. The Board found that the veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a scar of the right thigh.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated at noncompensable to 20% and the RO/AMC is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The veteran's sinusitis with rhinitis was granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from February 1, 2004. Her migraines and hypothyroidism were not addressed as the appeal is limited to her sinus condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and macular degeneration, finding that the conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active service. The veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation is considered under direct service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Grave's disease with hyperthyroidism, finding that her symptoms have not more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for adenocarcinoma of the rectum and hypothyroidism, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's thyroid disorder did not have its onset during active service or within one year of separation from active service and was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected hypertension.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling issues, including rescheduling a video conference hearing.