Thyroid disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred as a result of radiation exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not participate in any tests involving the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device and was not in Japan at any point during his service.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for service-connected hypoparathyroidism effective January 28, 2014. The Veteran also received a grant of service connection for left eye cataract during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's hypothyroidism, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's breast cancer with right mastectomy is granted as service connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for hypothyroidism, including as secondary to breast cancer treatment and due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is also granted.

The Veteran's parathyroid disorder is not service connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral breast tumors, and thyroid tumor. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence, but the other claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his service or radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claim for a low back disorder secondary to service-connected pes planus, and his TDIU claim were not granted. His hypothyroidism with thyroidectomy is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for CFS and remanded issues of service connection for various other conditions. The case is now being remanded again to provide a VA examination and address the intertwined issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the type of radiation exposure, if any, and whether it may be related to the Veteran's kidney and thyroid cancers. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. Service connection for both conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's left below the knee amputation (BKA) is rated as 60% disabling, effective January 11, 2007.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10%, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10%. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's TMJ was granted service connection, and the issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and thyroid disability did not become manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and are not shown to be related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil resulted in xerostomia, dysphagia, hypothyroidism, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Effective dates for these conditions have been granted based on their secondary nature to his cancer.,Effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are set at October 14, 2010, while xerostomia and dysphagia were granted effective August 4, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected status-post left 7th and 8th ribs fracture with residual pain and bone deformity is rated at 10 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypothyroidism has been manifested by fatigability and required continuous medication for control, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination by an endocrinologist.