Thyroid disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence to support an in-service event, injury or disease related to these conditions. Therefore, service connection for lung nodules, liver cysts, prostate gland nodules, and thyroid nodules cannot be established.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disorder/trembling/fatigability and arthritis of multiple joints (hips, ankles, elbows, and knees) due to undiagnosed illness as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

PTSD and TMJ ratings remain denied.,Residuals of musculotendinous tear, right calf, and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis have initial disability ratings denied.,Effective dates for PTSD and TMJ service connection are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's thyroid cancer is related to his service, specifically herbicide exposure. The claim will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and reflux esophagitis), and headaches as due to undiagnosed illness in the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain and hypothyroidism, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has established in-service exposure to herbicides while stationed at Eglin AFB from 1964 to 1966, and grants service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome and thyroid cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of potential radiation exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for clarification on certain medical findings.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal began, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation prior to July 2, 2013 is 60 percent (with no single disorder rated 40 percent). This falls short of the requirements for eligibility for scheduler TDIU. However, the Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service is warranted for consideration of extraschedular entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hypothyroidism and enteritis were granted, with a 60% rating prior to April 23, 2012, and a 100% rating from April 23, 2012 to March 20, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hepatitis. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service. The heart disability, warts on the legs, skin condition of the arms and legs, hypothyroidism, and cataracts are not currently addressed due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, asthma, and high cholesterol were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus. The case will be reviewed again with a medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety), thyroid disability, and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.,PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety) are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The claims for thyroid disability and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology, with consideration of the Veteran's reported exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology due to possible military sexual trauma. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety) is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The thyroid disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to the Veteran's service, including her reported exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The claim for diabetes mellitus is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran does not have a current hair loss disorder, and the Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new opinion on the Veteran's employability and his VA Vocational Rehabilitation file.