Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100 percent rating for his thyroid disability, effective September 1, 2009, due to errors in reducing the rating.

The Veteran died from thyroid cancer, presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides during service. The Board finds that the cause of death is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the cancer to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for her right knee disability was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has service connection for hypothyroidism, which is etiologically related to service. Service connection for left ventricular disease was denied as secondary to claimed hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism is productive of symptoms including cold intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, and constipation. The disability warrants a 30 percent rating since the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the service connection claims.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his service and the causes of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service. The thyroid disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure but the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his period of service, and there is no evidence suggesting a medical relationship between heart disease and his service-connected disabilities. As such, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and thyroid disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased ratings for hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism due to further development being needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for parathyroid cancer and prostate cancer, both alleged to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service, are being remanded for further development including obtaining a new dose assessment based on the Veteran's location during atmospheric testing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for his thyroid disorder, finding that the evidence did not support going back one year from the January 2009 claim date.

The Board finds that the appellant did not have active military, naval, or air service for VA purposes and thus is not considered a veteran. As such, service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and hypothyroidism cannot be granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer, claimed as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation, requires additional development and review. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant service personnel records, a dose estimate from VA Undersecretary for Health, and an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's thyroid cancer was caused by ionizing radiation exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for hypothyroidism with thyroidectomy, as well as his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thyroid goiter with history of subclinical hyperthyroidism, hyperhidrosis, and thyroid cyst is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the course of the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new medical records and a request for an examination. The initial rating for her hypothyroidism remains under review.