Thyroid disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or thyroid disorder for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has denied all claims for initial compensable evaluations, finding no indication of ongoing or new symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current, chronic respiratory disability or any other disabilities for which service connection is warranted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disability, specifically post-surgical residuals of left foot calcaneus fracture with short extensor muscle tear, metatarsal dislocation and traumatic arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service, or by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer and cancer of the vocal cords, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran claims service connection for a thyroid disorder, including hypothyroidism and nonmalignant thyroid nodular disease, due to exposure to ionizing radiation during military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and determination of the exact nature of his current thyroid condition and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral thyroid eye disease more nearly approximates the criteria for a rating of 30 percent, which includes disfigurement of the face/eyes due to his condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism but granted service connection for gout, assigning a 10% evaluation effective from March 18, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have fibromyalgia and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hypothyroidism remains under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal stricture, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, all secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim for esophageal stricture due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The VA treatment for the Veteran's hyperparathyroidism did not result in additional disability, and there is no evidence of negligence or unforeseeable events. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues related to service connection, with some claims reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected thyroidectomy for goiter with residual scar has been rated at 20 percent effective August 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer is not service-connected, as it was determined to be metastatic thyroid cancer and not a primary respiratory tract cancer. The medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current lung nodules and his time in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including weak immune system, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, sleep difficulty, digestive condition, thyroid condition, skin condition of the hands, and skin condition of the feet, have been denied as not being due to undiagnosed illness related to his Persian Gulf War service.