Thyroid disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypothyroidism is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis or right hand disorder other than his service-connected back disability. The claim for tinnitus and thyroid disorder is granted, but the claims for arthritis and right hand disorder are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for thyroid disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether hyperthyroidism aggravates bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's parathyroid adenoma and hyperparathyroidism, as well as his prostate cancer, are at least as likely as not due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism has been rated at a 30 percent disability rating since December 1, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms of fatigability and constipation meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7903.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back condition, cataracts, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, hypertension, stomach condition (including dysmenorrhea), sickle cell anemia, thyroid disease, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD, chronic dry eye, GERD, nephrolithiasis, and hypothyroidism have been dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus.,For PTSD prior to January 25, 2018, the Veteran received a 50 percent rating which has now been denied. From that date forward, he is rated at 70 percent.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection issues were addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus was granted. The issues of service connection for thyroid disorder, cervical myofascial pain syndrome, defective vision, and bilateral shoulder disorders were also granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and residuals of thyroid cancer, finding that the evidence did not rise to equipoise linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee total arthroplasty with left thigh muscle atrophy resulted in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness. The claim for increased rating is granted, and the Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II; basal cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer); right hip disorder; right knee disorder; and right ankle disorders has been dismissed. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected headaches. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to headaches is denied.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for degenerative changes, left knee with Baker’s cyst; chronic left ankle disability; seborrheic dermatitis (claimed as a skin condition due to undiagnosed illness); and hypothyroidism. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations, changes in symptoms since previous evaluations, and new evidence of worsening conditions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer and metastatic carcinoma of the lungs due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding no evidence of such exposure or a causal relationship.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed. The Veteran's hypothyroidism claim will be reviewed again, and her thrombophlebitis claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal.