Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and thyroid disorder, both of which were found to be not related to his active service or an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran is left with no chronic disability due to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing an SOC on the thyroid condition claim.

The Board has dismissed the issues regarding loss of toenail and fingernail, as well as the issue to reopen service connection for stress fractures. The remaining claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected status-post total thyroidectomy due to thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism is being remanded as the record does not include sufficient information to assess the severity of the disability during the remaining period under consideration.

The Board denied service connection for tonsil, thyroid, neck, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the in-service events. The Veteran's current disorders are considered age-related and unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism has been rated at 10 percent since December 3, 1992. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating are not met and denied an increased rating claim. However, the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on her combined effect of disabilities rendering her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and type II diabetes mellitus, contributed substantially or materially to his death from intracerebral hemorrhage. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and bladder cancer are being remanded due to the need for a dose assessment from the Under Secretary for Health, an opinion by an oncologist regarding the etiology of his thyroid cancer, and further development related to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's Grave's Disease and Thyroid Disability are service-connected.,Hypertension, COPD/emphysema, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Upper and Lower Extremities, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (other than PTSD), Right Shoulder Disability, Stomach Disability, and Neck Disability have not been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's conditions, while serious, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status prior to May 20, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, nor does she meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding his foreign service and to schedule him for examinations to determine the current severity of his duodenal ulcer.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the cause of his hepatitis C and whether a thyroid disorder is secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support higher ratings for diabetes mellitus or its complications. Service connection was also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and thyroid nodule are being remanded due to the need for further investigation into his claimed herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, status-post thyroidectomy, was not incurred in active service and is denied.

The Veteran's prostatitis was granted a rating of 40 percent as of July 23, 2013. The effective date for this grant is July 23, 2013.