Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition occurred in service or due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for asthma and diabetes mellitus, type II were reopened based on new evidence received since the previous denial.,Service connection for hypothyroidism could not be established as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as there is no evidence of inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid disorder was not related to his active service. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's skin disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for hypothyroidism, urinary incontinence, and rectal fissure was granted. The rating for hypothyroidism remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hypertension, headaches, bilateral tinnitus, hypothyroidism, and PTSD. The claims are based on secondary service connection in the case of hypertension and direct service connection for the other conditions.,Service connection is established for each condition listed above.

The Veteran's hurthle (thyroid) cancer is related to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and his obstructive sleep apnea may have had its onset during service. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and a heart disability, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The heart disability is also found to be proximately due to or the result of the service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, foot, knee, and thyroid disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's post-operative residuals of medullary thyroid cancer, including whether it is related to service exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after compliance with this remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder is not caused by his active military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for a VA thyroid examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for her hypothyroidism is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism does not cause muscular weakness, mental disturbance and weight gain. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for hypothyroidism and tinnitus, both of which are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for organic bowel syndrome and denied the claims for service connection for a bowel disorder and hypothyroidism. The TDIU issue is pending.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not productive of a penile deformity, and thus does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.,Hypothyroidism was diagnosed after service and there is no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is denied.,Neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not manifest within one year of separation from service, nor is there any evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hypothyroidism prior to January 23, 2013 was granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise to support a 60 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for hypothyroidism is granted as his lay statements, corroborated by service treatment records and a medical opinion from his treating physician, support the conclusion that he incurred this condition during active duty.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism status post Graves' disease was granted a 100% rating effective October 1, 2007.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is also granted for the period prior to April 23, 2012.

The Veteran's Graves' disease and GERD with hiatal hernia resulted in disability ratings of 60 percent for Graves' disease prior to December 11, 2014, and 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia. The decision was granted.