Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The VA examiner concluded that the currently diagnosed thyroid disorder was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verifying his periods of active duty and Army Reserve service, obtaining relevant VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and the need for a dose estimate based on his exposure to radiation. The Veteran also needs an examination to determine if he has experienced loss of teeth as a result of service, including any potential radiation exposure.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a non-malignant thyroid nodule has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a cane, scooter, and/or wheelchair. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the April 2009 right eye surgery was for a nonservice-connected thyroid-related eye disease, not the service-connected proptosis. Therefore, entitlement to a temporary 100% evaluation based on convalescence is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hypothyroidism and whether it caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The issue regarding reopening his claim for sleep apnea will also be addressed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for thyroid cancer secondary to asbestosis, entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic arthritis of the bilateral thumbs are addressed in the Remand section.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or for being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hypertension or hypothyroidism as a result of service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions were denied.,For diabetes mellitus, the Board determined that it did not require insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent from March 30, 2006 and prior to September 8, 2006, but required avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities beginning on September 8, 2006. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for hypothyroidism is May 11, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected disabilities, including left arm brachial plexopathy, hypothyroidism, and erectile dysfunction, were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's thyroid condition, which has alternated between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The AOJ will review these claims after conducting necessary searches and examinations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as service personnel records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure is being remanded for additional development, including the preparation of a dose estimate and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hypothyroidism and whether he should be granted TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further clarification and opinion regarding its relationship to service, particularly given his presumed exposure to herbicides. The issue of whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism is also being addressed.