Thyroid disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid nodular disease and hypothyroidism are related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided that the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and residuals of a right thyroid mass with tracheal deviation, status post total thyroidectomy, must be remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lost claims file, and additional efforts are needed to rebuild it. The Veteran's representative requested a special examination for disabilities associated with participation in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, hypothyroidism, and left shoulder tendonitis. The claims will be remanded to allow for these evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in the Republic of Vietnam and his duties at Kunsan Air Force Base, Korea did not result in exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the claims for service connection based on herbicide exposure are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the conditions listed, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism is rated at 30 percent since July 12, 2010. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and its potential connection to his diagnosed cancers.

The Veteran's left thumb arthritis and scars from cesarean section were granted increased ratings, but her hypothyroidism was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated authorization for private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference hearing due to his failure to report for the scheduled hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the low back and sciatica are related to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no competent, credible evidence linking any of the claimed disorders to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's thyroid disorder is related to his first period of service or aggravated by his second period of service. The claim for sleep apnea must also be remanded as it may be inextricably intertwined with the thyroid disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including due to herbicide exposure. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the service connection for all claimed conditions has been granted, but no higher ratings are warranted.,No effective date earlier than May 16, 2013, is assigned for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a dose estimate and reviewing all relevant treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.