Thyroid disorder decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed conditions, including anxiety disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and stomach problems, hypothyroidism, and low B-12 level, all of which were determined to be not related to his in-service exposure to missile fuel.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism and basal cell carcinoma, both claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, are granted.

The Veteran's heart condition is not related to service, and the issue of service connection for a thyroid disorder was dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for residuals of thyroid cancer, right knee arthritis, and cervical spine spondylosis have been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for residuals of thyroid cancer, with a noncompensable rating for the right knee and a 20 percent rating for cervical spine spondylosis from June 2, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service at Camp Hanford.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, thyroid disorder, and prostate disorder were denied. The RO is instructed to readjudicate these claims in light of the additional evidence provided.

The Veteran's papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland is not presumed service-connected due to lack of exposure to Agent Orange. However, his private physician suggests a possible connection to Agent Orange exposure during service. Therefore, a VA examination is needed to determine if there is a 50% or better probability that the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected status post operative hemithyroidectomy and isthmectomy is not manifested by any residual symptoms, and the evidence does not show fatigability or that it requires continuous medication for control. The Veteran's insomnia was not caused or aggravated by service-connected status post operative hemithroidectomy and isthmectomy. A psychiatric disability other than PTSD was not incurred in active service; it was not caused or aggravated by service-connected status post operative hemithroidectomy and isthmectomy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is as likely as not due to his military service, specifically handling of nuclear weapons while aboard ship. Therefore, service connection for thyroid cancer is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a possible reevaluation of her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing and for the inclusion of the complete October 2007 rating decision in the claims file.

The Veteran's disabilities, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and arthritis of the knees, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his current disability ratings.

The Veteran's disability picture encompasses a variety of significant multi-system disabilities, factually rendering her more often than not unable to safely perform virtually all activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board grants special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a thyroid disorder due to exposure to ionizing radiation during active service. The claim is being remanded as the medical opinion from the Under Secretary of Health has not been provided, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating for status post resection of the pituitary tumor with pan hypopituitarism and hypothyroidism was not granted, while other claims for service connection or secondary service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence relating the claimed conditions to service or any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and procedural deficiencies, including a need for a VA examination and proper VCAA notice regarding effective dates.