Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for an overactive thyroid condition with surgery, which was previously denied in May 2002. The evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and clarifying whether his unemployability is solely due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of thyroid cancer is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's dizziness and giddiness are symptoms of his service-connected right peripheral vestibular disorder.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), were not incurred in active service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Burkitt's lymphoma of the bone marrow and its residuals, including chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and branch retinal vein occlusion of the left eye. The case has been remanded to obtain additional information regarding potential radiation exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's National Guard service and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for prostate cancer remains pending as it involves exposure to ionizing radiation, but requires additional development of dose estimates.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism due to Grave's disease is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hyperthyroidism is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain medical records and determine if a radiogenic disease manifested 5 years or more after exposure in 1957.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for ED, hemorrhoids, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his exposure history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and morning reports to verify his exposure to Agent Orange in Korea. The VA examiner who conducted the May 2012 mental disorders examination will be asked to reconsider their opinion based on newly added service treatment records.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. After resolving all benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is manifested by fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness. Therefore, a 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for a higher rating for his thyroid disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and hypothyroidism are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism from 10 to 30 percent, effective December 31, 2008.