Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperthyroidism and increased disability rating for left knee posttraumatic arthritis due to procedural issues, including the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Left knee DJD was granted a 10 percent rating prior to April 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, parathyroid condition, and fibromyalgia were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes her from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and work experience.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypothyroidism, and kidney disorder due to herbicide exposure. The appellant's National Guard service at CFB Gagetown in Canada is under further investigation.

The Veteran's colon symptoms are due to radiation proctitis, which is related to his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed colon disorder (radiation proctitis) is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions, including sterilization, thyroid disability, and GERD, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran does not have a current endocrine disorder, including hypothyroidism and hypoglycemia. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed thyroid cancer and non-malignant brain tumor are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between his current conditions and his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 60 percent for hypothyroid disease prior to February 14, 2012. Service connection for a skin disorder secondary to service-connected depression is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with a history of bipolar disorder, along with his other conditions, warrants an increased disability rating and TDIU from October 28, 1993 to June 3, 2008. The Veteran also received SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of parathyroidism and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia, do not preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board determined that the Veteran's NHL is in remission and does not have any current residuals. The symptoms he reported, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion, hypothyroidism, and sarcoidosis, are not related to his NHL or its treatment.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's thyroid cancer to his military service, including exposure to non-ionizing radiation from radio equipment. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical records and examinations, as well as to ensure that the examination reports comply with instructions.