Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected nodule, left lower lobe thyroid, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as there is no evidence of hypothyroidism or any other impairment related to his thyroid condition.

The Board has denied reopening of the appellant's claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart condition, and hyperthyroidism due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's hyperparathyroidism is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the lack of current manifestations or need for continuous medication.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's thyroid disorder had its onset in active service, or is otherwise due to injury or disease incurred in active service. The claim for service connection for thyroid disorder was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depressive disorder, sleep apnea, thyroid condition, sinusitis, and a foot condition related to a cold injury. The appeals are based on new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed prostate cancer, benign thyroid nodules, posterior subcapsular cataract of the left eye, squamous cell carcinoma of the left hand, and anemia are not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, morbid obesity, dysmetabolic syndrome (insulin resistance syndrome), hypothyroidism/chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT), hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, fatigue, edema, skin tags, acanthosis nigricans, and striae. The Board found that there was no current disability for hypertension or morbid obesity, and the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Veteran was awarded compensation benefits for complications from a cardiac catheterization, including additional disabilities such as necrotizing fasciitis and diarrhea. He also received SMC based on his need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was allowed as a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed in response to the October 2007 VA rating decision, which denied service connection for thyroid gland condition, feet tendonitis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran did not receive proper notification of the decision until after the deadline for filing an NOD.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for thyroid cancer and remanded it for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding potential exposure to PCBs and herbicides. The Veteran's claim is now pending again.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, claimed as a residual of exposure to ionizing radiation in service, was not incurred or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is due to military sexual trauma experienced during her period of ACDUTRA. Her hypothyroidism and bilateral heel spurs are not service-connected as they did not begin during or were otherwise caused by her period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is service-connected due to exposure to ionizing radiation. Her bilateral plantar fasciitis and left hip osteoarthritis are both granted initial disability ratings, but the rating for her left hip condition was not increased beyond 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated dose assessment based on the Veteran's statements of his physical location during atmospheric testing in Operation TUMBLER-SNAPPER. The claims will be forwarded to the Under Secretary for Benefits for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on all issues were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of service connection for primary hyperparathyroidism status post parathyroidectomy.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any current residuals of thyroid cancer, including exposure to jet fuel and low dose radiation from missile sites.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be asymptomatic after December 31, 2005. The Board granted a disability rating of 10 percent from July 24, 2003 (the date his claim was received) to December 31, 2005.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is not entitled to a compensable rating since December 31, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disability and for an increased rating for right hip osteochondroma, finding that his current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of right hemi thyroidectomy for cystic mass were rated at 10% prior to September 15, 2011 and increased to 60% thereafter. The rating for osteopenia was also granted with a 60% evaluation effective from September 15, 2011.