Thyroid disorder decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid condition and an initial compensable disability rating for partial tongue removal, finding that his thyroid condition did not have its onset in service or for many years thereafter, and was not related to any incident of service. The claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of tonsillectomy with tracheostomy was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with regard to his claims for service connection for various conditions. The RO denied these claims in April 2006, and the Veteran was notified of this decision on April 24, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected hypothyroidism was granted, with the effective date set at March 17, 2010. The Veteran is now rated at 30 percent for this condition.

The Board found that the causes of the Veteran's death were not related to service-connected disabilities, including his combat wounds sustained in August 1944. The Board determined that these injuries did not play a material causal role in the Veteran's death or substantially worsened any other condition leading to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further evaluation of the Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin rash on his right ankle and a thyroid goiter, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The Board also did not grant any increased ratings for other claimed conditions.

The Veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities. However, he meets the criteria for housebound status as a result of his multiple service-connected conditions and age over 65.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and hypothyroidism, both of which were claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that either condition was incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen her previously denied service connection claims for thyroid disorder and hypertension. The Veteran is also entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot disorder, eye disorder, back disorder, gynecological disorder, abdominal disorder, and shin splints.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board found the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for thyroid cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis with hypothyroidism, fatigue as due to an undiagnosed illness, and joint pain. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for joint pain.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected hypothyroidism and adjustment disorder with major depressive disorder have been partially granted. The rating for hypothyroidism remains at 30 percent from June 6, 1996, while the rating for adjustment disorder with major depressive disorder has increased to 70 percent effective May 20, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the thyroid neoplasm was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and his migraine headaches, lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypothyroidism did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's spouse is not considered to be in need of regular aid and attendance based on the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The Board found that the Veteran's current thyroid disorder did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to any injury, disease, or event of service origin. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's thyroid disability is currently evaluated at a 60 percent rating beginning February 29, 2008. The condition was previously rated as 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, thyroid condition, high blood pressure, and peripheral neuropathy. The claim for exposure to Agent Orange as a result of herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.