Thyroid disorder decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for initial evaluation claims related to degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, tendonitis of the right wrist, bursitis of the right hip, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism as there is no evidence that the Veteran has this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psychotic depressive reaction and hypothyroidism do not render her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a parathyroidectomy was denied as the evidence did not show that the proximate cause of her additional disability was carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance on VA's part.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and following some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's exogenous replacement of thyroid, status post radioactive iodine treatment has not been manifested by emotional instability, tachycardia, and increased pulse pressure or blood pressure.

The veteran's hypothyroidism and tinnitus were service-connected, while diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a sleep disorder were not.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of prostate surgery, diabetes mellitus, a respiratory disease (COPD), and hypothyroidism as they were not related to the Veteran's service. The veteran was also found not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for neutropenia and thyroid cancer, claimed as due to ionizing radiation exposure, for accrued benefits purposes, on the basis that the claim lacked legal merit; and also found no evidence of a disability related to the Veteran's active military service or a service-connected disability that caused his death.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent evaluation for thyroid cancer from November 1, 2003, through January 14, 2004, and again from July 15, 2005, to the present.

The veteran's thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein, nor may it be presumed to result from exposure to an herbicide agent in service nor from exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and leukoplakia of the larynx were denied, but the case was remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, with resultant symptoms including mental problems, sexual problems, hot and cold feelings, sleepiness, and dry skin and scalp, is an expected outcome of the treatment received for hyperthyroidism in 1974 and 1975. Compensation benefits are not payable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disorder and basal cell carcinoma are being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for hypothyroidism and constipation, and fatigue and headaches is being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU was granted, with July 14, 2000 as the earliest possible effective date.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for para-thyroid gland abnormality with hypocalcaemia and nephrolithiasis is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer, finding no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and a thyroid disorder, as there is no evidence to support that these conditions are related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or SMC based on complete organic aphonia.