Thyroid disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's neck disability and hypothyroidism are not service-connected.,His right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs is rated at 10 percent, while his left foot condition remains rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his subtotal thyroidectomy was granted effective November 10, 2010. He is now rated at 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to his satisfaction with the current rating. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder and thyroid disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that there was no indication in his April/May 2005 application for compensation and/or pension benefits that he intended to seek service connection for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disability, diagnosed as Grave's disease and hypothyroidism, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for secondary service connection for a left eye disability is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, eye disorder (claimed as eye sight), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The evidence did not establish a direct link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that no evidence of in-service events or symptoms related to his current conditions. The claim for service connection was granted but not with an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thyroid disorder, diagnosed as hypothyroidism secondary to radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism, is related to his service and grants the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected uncontrolled hypothyroidism, has been remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were not timely filed, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand both issues for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the thyroid disorder and scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings on gastroesophageal reflux disease, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella and infrapatellar tendon septic necrosis, and scar of the left knee were remanded due to procedural issues. The right thyroid nodule claim was also remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of all claims, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but denied service connection for obesity. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are not considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone were not shown to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background prior to December 22, 2008. The criteria for a TDIU are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hyperthyroidism is not related to service, including exposure to radiation. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that any current thyroid disorder is related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin disorder, thyroid cancer, bone cancer, and lymph node cancer as secondary to herbicide exposure and radiation treatment for his service-connected prostate cancer. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 60 percent, effective April 9, 2009. The skin disability remains noncompensably disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to determine the extent of his in-service exposure to radiation and toxic radioactive chemicals, as well as to provide him with comprehensive VA medical examinations.