Thyroid disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that service connection for elevated PSA level and hyperthyroidism is not established due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted as the condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a dose estimate based on available methodologies and preparing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for thyroid disorder, degenerative bone disease, and psychiatric disorder due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since October 2007, and his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was granted a 30 percent rating effective June 15, 2006. The decision is mixed as it grants part of the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism but denies service connection for the adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of the claims of service connection for a back disability, left eye disability, chronic headaches, and a higher initial rating for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder is related to his active service, as evidenced by his diagnosis during service and subsequent treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Disorder and Hypothyroidism have been granted, with the former receiving a 30 percent rating and the latter a 10 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current thyroid disease and his service, including exposure to radiation. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that new evidence was submitted to reopen some claims, but the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any condition.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence indicating a current hearing loss disability was incurred or aggravated by active duty.,There is no medical evidence showing a connection between the Veteran's pulmonary disabilities, including COPD and asthma, and her active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, nephrolithiasis, and hypothyroidism. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and is not due to Agent Orange exposure. The temporary total rating claim based on treatment for a non-service connected condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for follicular cell carcinoma with thyroidectomy, but further development is needed before reaching a decision on the merits.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the appellant's whereabouts being unknown. The case will be returned for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is not related to his military service, and therefore denied this claim. The gout issue remains pending as there are no VA medical records from Iowa City available for review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder and thyroid disorder was denied as there is no current disability related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the remaining issues. Bilateral hearing loss is related to military service, while other conditions are not shown to be connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from his treating physician.