Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the cause of death due to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not related to his military service, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to any condition incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, right knee disability, and thyroid disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and left clavicle fracture remain on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disorder and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the addition of service-connected hypothyroidism, which has changed his combined rating from 70% to 80%. The VA will need to determine if the combination of disabilities prevents him from securing and maintaining employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, thyroid condition, and sleep apnea with CPAP due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to comply with a Court's May 2012 Memorandum Decision, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and obtaining an adequate VA opinion.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder, which was diagnosed after a thyroidectomy during service, is found to be incurred in service. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at the maximum available benefit of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary atherosclerotic heart disease has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism. The appeal is REMANDED for this development.