Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected TBI with headaches are rated at 10 percent effective July 11, 2014. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for thyroid cancer and granted it, finding that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during his active duty service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the Veteran's current degenerative changes of the lumbar spine originated in service. The claim for an increased rating for hypothyroidism is remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to an incomplete transcript from a previous hearing. The Veteran is requested to appear at another videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and injuries, including heart disorder, thyroid disorder, left shoulder and elbow disorders, double hernia, PTSD, right and left knee disorders. The case is being remanded for further action regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing records and provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death and service connection claims. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's residuals, papillary carcinoma, right thyroid lobe have been manifested by complaints of fatigue, constipation, and mental sluggishness. The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's thyroid disorder.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypothyroidism were granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and asthma have not been reopened.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of a thyroid disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has remanded the case for further investigation into the Veteran's alleged exposure to radiation during service, as his claim was denied due to a lack of evidence of such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and for an opinion on whether his thyroid cancer is related to Agent Orange exposure. The RO must also schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to determine the etiology of his thyroid cancer.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with activities of daily living and protection from environmental hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism and recurrent UTIs are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicides in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection for the cause of death due to arteriosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and hyperthyroidism.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, hypothyroidism, and hypogonadism were denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, status post-surgical resection, is presumed to have been incurred during active service due to symptoms manifesting within a year of discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The VA examination reports supported this conclusion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid disorder claimed as Graves' disease and remanded her claims of service connection for hysterectomy, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis in the hips and joints due to potential new evidence.