Thyroid disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's thyroid cancer and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Ewing's Sarcoma, adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, Hurthle cell thyroid cancer, status post thyroidectomy, and non-malignant thyroid nodular disease, left lobe due to his exposure to radiation while working as an electrician on nuclear-powered submarines during his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, vitiligo, thyroid disability, lateral instability of the right knee, and a right knee lateral meniscus tear with chronic sprain and early degenerative changes. The claim for increased ratings for these conditions was also dismissed. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms and severity.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypothyroidism and pituitary microadenoma have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, as well as consideration of new rating criteria.

The Board dismissed the appeal of hypertension. The claim for service connection for thyroid condition secondary to asbestos exposure and/or herbicide exposure was reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's representative withdrew all the issues from the notice of disagreement, including entitlement to service connection for a parathyroid tumor, a low back condition, and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a thyroid condition, including Graves' Disease and hypothyroidism, is reopened. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of a September 2016 letter from Dr. L.S., stating that the Veteran’s current thyroid condition is at least as likely as not due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, cervical spine/ neck disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and hands, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral feet disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, thyroid disability, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nervous disorder, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left heel spurs, left ankle disorder, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or medical nexus to current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism began during his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including bilateral foot conditions, varicose veins, hypothyroidism, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bladder disorder, thyroid disorder, and right adrenal gland disorder due to inadequate examination findings. The VA examiner is instructed to provide opinions on whether these conditions are caused by exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain, bilateral foot pain, right ring finger condition, sinus infection, and thyroid condition due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as further VA examinations are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and hypothyroidism due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities, including range of motion studies and assessment of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thyroid disorder and Graves' disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and skin cancer. The remaining issues have been remanded due to lack of evidence regarding radiation exposure.