Thyroid disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation during service and its impact on his claimed conditions. The claim will be reviewed after obtaining additional records and a dose estimate if necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, or a thyroid disability that is related to her active service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hyperthyroidism, claimed as Graves' disease, is being remanded due to the need for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of her thyroid disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pulmonary embolus, and deep vein thrombosis of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism and sleep apnea. The claim will be denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,From July 30, 2007 to July 16, 2009, the Veteran's iatrogenic hypothyroidism was manifested by fatigability, constipation and mental sluggishness. From July 17, 2009 to December 28, 2011, it was manifested by weight gain and mental disturbance. From December 29, 2011, the Veteran's iatrogenic hypothyroidism was manifested by cold intolerance, mental disturbance and sleepiness.,From July 30, 2006 to October 31, 2008, the Veteran's history of laryngeal carcinoma was manifested by hoarseness. From November 1, 2008, it was manifested by hoarseness with thickening of cords and pre-malignant changes on biopsy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders, bilateral leg disorders, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, respiratory disorders, and thyroid disorders. The decision found no direct relationship between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hyperthyroidism and bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome. The pension claim is also intertwined with these service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer and its residuals are as likely as not attributable to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. As a result, service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart condition as secondary to his service-connected parathyroidectomy with a history of hyperthyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and gynecomastia, claimed as obesity, were denied. The effective dates for the grant of a 10 percent rating for low back disability and for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been set at December 3, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid disease, hysterectomy, diabetes mellitus and weight gain are not related to her service exposure to radiation. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for hyperthyroidism with Graves' disease, status post radioactive iodine treatment and residual hypothyroid endocrine dysfunction from October 1, 2013 to June 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder, including Graves' disease, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disease is at least as likely as not related to his in-service radiation exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, and he is currently receiving a 50 percent rating for the disability. The RO also granted service connection for PTSD as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and outstanding evidence, including the Veteran's service discharge certificate and medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypercalcemia, hepatitis C, a skin disability (dermatophytosis of the foot), left shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, hyperparathyroidism, back disability, or sleep disorder. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine if the Veteran's hyperthyroidism is related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder, including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to his military service.