Thyroid disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid cancer on a presumptive basis due to exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty. Service connection is also granted for hypothyroidism as it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and thyroid cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and confirming any exposure to asbestos or ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability, thyroid disability, neck disability, or bilateral wrist and knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an outstanding hearing request by the Veteran. The Veteran requested a Travel Board hearing, but no further action on his request has been taken.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, panic attacks, rash condition, and prostate cancer due to lack of evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Libya. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or any other area where Agent Orange was used.

The Veteran's asthma is currently evaluated at 60 percent disabling, effective April 14, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer and a skin disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or exposure to herbicides/radiation.

The Board found that the Veteran's Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism are not related to her active service, as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or symptoms consistent with these conditions during her military service. The preponderance of evidence supports the denial of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism, status post treatment, is reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for hypothyroidism as an alternate theory of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and thus his claims are denied.

The Veteran's Graves' disease and associated exophthalmos are rated at 10 percent each, while his hearing loss prior to January 2, 2015 is not compensable. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy due to lack of nexus and no presumptive exposure. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, a cardiovascular disability, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for excessive weight gain was not addressed as it may be related to an already established condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current thyroid disability had onset in service or is related to radiation exposure from x-ray treatments. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private medical records for thyroid cancer. The Veteran is advised to provide necessary releases and obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disability, diagnosed as hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid adenoma, is not related to his in-service radiation exposure. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's thyroid nodular disease, which he claims is due to ionizing radiation exposure during service, has been remanded for further review by VA's Under Secretary for Benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting new examinations to address the severity of his thyroid dysfunction/hypothyroidism and TBI residuals.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A).

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to develop the claim for a thyroid disorder in accordance with VA regulations. The Veteran's service connection claims are now inextricably intertwined with the remanded issue.