Thyroid disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's malignant melanoma of the right torso with metastases is granted service connection based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for thyroid condition (hypothyroidism) and melanoma of the blood are denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee disorder, otitis media, sinusitis, hypertension, urticaria, thyroid cancer, and headaches. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected fifth metacarpal fracture, left hand is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected thyroidectomy scar on the neck is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected plantar wart, right foot post excision, is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral painful foot condition and thyroid disorder due to potential issues with causation and aggravation during periods of active duty.

The Veteran's eye disability claim is denied as there is no diagnosed condition related to service.,The Veteran's back, feet, and face skin conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for a medical opinion on its etiology.,The Veteran's cellulitis of the left thigh claim is remanded for clarification of whether it constitutes a current disability or if it is only pain.,The Veteran's thyroid disorder claim is remanded to determine when the condition manifested and whether service aggravated it.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for further medical opinion on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease, larynx disorder, lung disorder, hypertension, and thyroid disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The Board also remanded the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular Aid and Attendance/Housebound (A&A/H) status.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for B-cell lymphoma of the spine, hypothyroidism, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure and obtain his service personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for her service-connected headache disability from January 13, 2015, is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for urinary incontinence prior to July 10, 2015 and has remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hypothyroidism. The case is being returned to the Board due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer and its residuals are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, thus granting service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for rectovaginal fistula and remanded other claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include whether new evidence was received to reopen a respiratory disability claim, service connection for psychiatric disorders including depression and nervous conditions, thyroid disability, and arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for dermatitis, sleep apnea, abnormal thyroid condition due to Lithium use, PTSD with bipolar disorder, thoracic spine disability, LLE and RLE radiculopathy is denied. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for blood clot, right lung or pulmonary embolism and thyroid condition due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if her conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, liver cancer, and thyroid cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected prostate cancer and these conditions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded to determine if it is distinct from his service-connected GERD.,Left and right sciatica conditions are also being remanded for clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an endocrine disorder, including diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypothyroidism. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, anxiety disorder with panic attacks, TMJ as secondary to psychiatric disability, right ankle disorder, thyroid disorder, eye disorder, high lipid count, and weight gain has been granted. The rating assigned is 70 percent for depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's GERD with vocal dysfunction and hypothyroidism are currently rated at 30 percent each, but the Board found no evidence to support higher ratings based on severe impairment of health or other specific criteria.