Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lymphedema of the left leg, hypertension, and thyroid disorder in May 2005. The new evidence submitted since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus and anemia as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for residuals of pulmonary emboli, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of evidence of significant respiratory dysfunction or other complications.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypothyroidism and granted the underlying claim, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, left foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, iatrogenic, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for his left foot condition.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is not due to his in-service radiation exposure or any other incident of his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide her with updated VA examinations for her thyroid disability and osteopenia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint pain, tingling in fingertips, child birth defects, miscarriages, allergies/sinus disability, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, loss of voice, fibroid disability, neutropenia, iron deficiency anemia, and low blood count. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from February 1997 to August 2006 and since March 2012. The appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including thyroid disability, skin disability, peripheral neuropathy, coldness of the feet, breathing disability, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, all of which were deemed not attributable to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of direct service connection for his neck, back, left knee, right knee, and thyroid conditions.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is rated at 100% effective June 2, 2014 and increased to 60% from January 19, 2011 to June 2, 2014. The initial rating of 30% was granted prior to September 18, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's active duty. The Board also found that any current thyroid disorder is less likely caused by military service.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism was evaluated at a 30 percent rating, and the Board found that this level adequately reflected his disability.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, nor may it be presumed to be related to active duty due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found the Director of Environmental Health's opinion more probative than the private physicians' opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot condition including right heel spurs, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, tibial tendonitis, and neuritis. The fracture of the right tibia is considered to be healed with no residuals.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a thyroid disorder. The Veteran's thyroid disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cardiovascular disease and an increased evaluation for hypothyroidism.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain his service treatment records. The claims for reopening of bilateral hearing loss and hypothyroidism will be remanded.