Thyroid disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of his meningioma and parathyroid disability. The claims will be readjudicated after any additional records are associated with the file.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected hypothyroidism, and the claim for an increased rating of 60 percent for hypothyroidism is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer did not manifest during service or within a year of discharge, and thus could not be granted service connection under direct or presumptive provisions. However, due to his exposure to non-ionizing radiation while on active duty, he was able to take advantage of special development procedures for 'radiogenic diseases' such as thyroid cancer. The Board concluded that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism and chronic muscular strain in the right paraspinous muscles of the thoracic spine have been rated, with the latter receiving a maximum schedular rating. The Board has granted an additional 10 percent extraschedular rating for the muscle strain prior to December 19, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected hypothyroidism is being remanded due to unresolved issues regarding the nature and etiology of her symptoms, including mental disturbance. The case also involves a separate issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, hypothyroidism, right heel spur syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypothyroidism, and determined that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is not related to his service-connected colon cancer and denied his claim for service connection.

For the initial rating period from June 1, 2007, the Veteran's hypothyroidism has been manifested by continuous medication required for control and fatigability. The Board found that these symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under DC 7903.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for hypothyroidism since October 7, 2014. Prior to this date, the Veteran's condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records, particularly from the Veteran's duty stations in South Carolina and New York. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) with associated hypothyroidism and hypogonadism.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for COPD and thyroid cancer, which were previously pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is not service connected as it was not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypothyroidism.,His service-connected hypothyroidism has not resulted in any additional disability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 2003 to present. The Veteran's claims for service connection are related to herbicide exposure but no specific evidence of such exposure is provided.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition for the claimed disorders, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid cancer, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim. The Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty is not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between his psychiatric symptoms and his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board found that the Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism did not start during service, and therefore denied her claims for service connection.