Thyroid disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for hypothyroidism, effective from the date of the decision. The condition is manifested by mild lower extremity weakness and some constipation and mental sluggishness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, finding that there is no evidence linking the disability to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's benign thyroid nodular disease, hypothyroidism, and goiter are not causally or etiologically related to his military service, including his exposure to ionizing radiation. The opinion from Dr. LRD was considered sufficient evidence to deny the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypoglycemia, rheumatoid arthritis, spider cysts (claimed as residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation), and thyroid disorder (hyperthyroidism, claimed as a residual of exposure to ionizing radiation) were denied. The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for the residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left buttock.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and right inguinal hernia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions had their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective June 1, 2005. The evaluation was increased to 20 percent from January 4, 2007, and to 40 percent on July 17, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hypothyroidism was granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective June 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and thyroid disability are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is rated at 30 percent, and her right foot disability remains at the initial 10 percent rating. The Board granted both issues.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for gout of the feet and hypothyroidism was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has decided some issues in favor of the Veteran, including service connection for bilateral ankle disability and cystitis. The decision on hypothyroidism is pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Hashimoto's hyperthyroidism and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a Travel Board hearing, obtaining medical records, and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism and residuals of a traumatic brain injury was denied as there is no evidence that the conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hyperthyroidism does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil is being remanded for further development and adjudication due to its potential connection to service. The intertwined issues of secondary service connection for various disorders are also being held in abeyance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Graves disease with atrial fibrillation and hypothyroidism were denied, as well as his claim for SMC. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Graves disease claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid disorder, degenerative bone disease, and psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The evidence did not establish a link to any exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether ischemic heart disease contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, headaches, shortness of breath, hypertension, and thyroid condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology following service and concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.