Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered a new examination and remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether hyperthyroidism is caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for urinary incontinence, sinusitis, and anemia have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's kidney condition with chronic renal insufficiency and hypertension was granted service connection effective March 18, 2003. The Veteran is now eligible for DEA under Chapter 35 of the U.S.C.A. due to this grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism is not service-connected as it was caused by radiation therapy for throat cancer, which is unrelated to Agent Orange exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, skin cancer, and thyroid disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to radiation in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective from March 31, 2015. The decision also found service connection for right leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and hypothyroidism are not related to his military service, with no presumption of herbicide exposure for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including hypothyroidism, liver disease, basal cell carcinoma with partial left outer ear loss, and osteoporosis, all allegedly due to exposure to herbicides and other chemicals during his military service. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was incurred in service and is related to his symptoms during service.,Service connection for PFB, thyroid disorder, and sinus disorder are pending.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism was not found to be related to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for reopening the hepatitis C claim is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for right breast cancer and thyroid papillary cancer, finding no evidence of a chronic disease in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, residuals of a left hemisphere stroke, lower extremity gout, and thyroid disorder. As such, there are no remaining questions to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist was granted. The remaining issues on appeal are related to his PTSD, hypothyroidism, and back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability, claimed as parathyroid adenoma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to d-Phenothrin, but the Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it manifested within seven years of discharge.,Service connection for thyroid cancer is denied because there is no competent and credible evidence linking the condition to service or exposure to d-Phenothrin. The Veteran's private and VA treatment records do not attribute her thyroid cancer to service.,The Board finds that service connection for scleroderma and Raynaud's syndrome is not warranted on a direct basis as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service, including exposure to d-Phenothrin.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for her claim of tinnitus. The Board grants service connection for cardiac arrhythmia as secondary to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but remands the issue of a higher rating for Hashimoto's thyroiditis due to further development.

The Veteran's headaches are caused by his hypertension and service connection for this condition is granted. The remaining issues of service connection for thyroid disorder, left eye disability, and back disability are not addressed in the decision.