Thyroid disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hypothyroidism, a left foot disability, fingernail disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, lumbar spine disability (secondary to service connected bilateral knee disorders), hypertension secondary to PTSD with depression, and an effective date earlier than November 12, 2008 for the grant of an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depression was denied from August 20, 2011 onwards. The Veteran's right knee synovitis and scars residual to gunshot wound of abdomen were not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records from Dr. Ray Harron, and any other relevant treatment providers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further examination and development of his claim for a higher rating for residuals, papillary carcinoma, right thyroid lobe, status-post hemi-thyroidectomy. The case will be returned to the Board after any additional evidence has been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder was not incurred in or related to service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of exposure documentation and further investigation into the Veteran's claimed radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether the Veteran's conditions are due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Veteran requested to withdraw appeals for several conditions, including breathing disorder, pulmonary disorder, right thyroid nodule, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, left arm cyst, right arm cyst, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right hip condition, and left hip condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied in June 2003 due to aggravation by his active service. The evidence received since then includes testimony from the Veteran stating that he aggravated his pre-service right knee disorder during his second period of service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, thyroid cancer, and lymph node cancer are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board has also determined that a 30 percent rating, but no higher, is warranted for his thyroid disorder.

The Board has determined that the April 1993 rating decision denying service connection for an abnormal EKG was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and service connection is now granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, which he contends began during his active military service and/or was caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The Board is remanding the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, thyroid disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder have been granted. The effective date is July 12, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent, and the hypothyroidism was also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism with bilateral exophthalmia and diplopia was initially rated at 10 percent, but a separate rating for visual impairment was granted effective February 29, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for the combined condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a thyroid disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a nexus between the current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and clarification of her claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.