Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Prostate Cancer, and Hypothyroidism. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection for throat or esophageal cancer have not been met, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypothyroidism is not related to his active service, including ionizing radiation exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been rated at 100 percent since May 3, 2008, due to the severity of his symptoms including fatigue, cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement, mental disturbance, and bradycardia. The housebound rate for SMC was granted effective from May 3, 2008.

The Veteran's nerve damage of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity have been granted service connection with effective dates set at January 5, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, cataracts, heart disorder, and hypothyroidism, all claimed as due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic myeloid leukemia, Graves' Disease (thyroid disorder), and seizure disorder are not related to his active duty service or hazardous material exposure. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine if VA examinations are necessary. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 50% rating for service-connected PTSD was denied. The RO granted a 50% rating effective August 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tuberculosis, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, hyperthyroidism, or any other condition related to her service connection claim. The positive PPD skin test is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right clavicle disability was granted, but the issue regarding service connection for thyroid cancer was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including new examinations and medical opinions to determine the etiology of any current respiratory disability and thyroid disability.

The Board dismissed the motion to revise a decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the September 2009 decision denying service connection for hyperthyroidism, heart disease, gouty arthritis, and kidney disease.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for scar, status-post thyroidectomy, and hypoparathyroidism, status-post thyroidectomy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for the scar or higher than 60 percent for the hypoparathyroidism.,The Veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for disfigurement and are rated under Diagnostic Code 7805. The hypoparathyroidism does not result in marked neuromuscular excitability, laryngeal stridor, or cataract.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism) is service-connected due to its onset within one year of discharge from active duty. However, the sleep apnea was not incurred during service and is unrelated to any in-service events.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypothyroidism is etiologically related to her service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and the most probative evidence does not relate it to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or any other in-service event. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypoparathyroidism and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as her claim for a compensable rating for service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding his claimed thyroid disorder and bilateral eye disorders, which are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.