Thyroid disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, horizontal surgical scars to the anterior neck, above the suprasternal notch, residuals of thyroid cancer, status post (s/p) total thyroidectomy, and major depressive disorder for new VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been granted. The Board has remanded several other issues including service connection for thyroid disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, cataracts, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, finding that the Veteran's current disorder was not caused or aggravated by her active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroidism and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or a link to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed, and no higher rating can be granted.,The Veteran's anaphylactic shock due to penicillin allergy has not manifested with symptoms during the appeal period, thus a compensable rating cannot be assigned.,Service connection for IHD was denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other service events that could have caused the condition. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection through his existing service-connected conditions.,Service connection for hypothyroidism was denied because it is not shown to be related to IHD, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for a heart attack was denied as the condition did not manifest during or within one year after separation from active duty service.,Service connection for TIA was denied due to lack of evidence showing its occurrence during active duty service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for aortic dissection was also denied without sufficient evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and thyroid cancer, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected anxiety disorder, hypothyroidism, and pityrosporum folliculitis. The VA will obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service records do not support the presence of a TBI in service, and his current disabilities are not linked to any incident during service.,There is no evidence of a head injury or TBI in service. The Veteran’s STRs do not mention a fall or related head injury.

The claim for a compensable disability rating for limitation of extension of the right hip is denied.,The claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis rated as limitation of flexion is denied.,The claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism and denied a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's hypothyroidism did not result in fatigability, constipation, or mental sluggishness, which are required for a higher rating. The Board also determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals on various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for thyroid condition and initial compensable rating for nasal septoplasty residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung disability, hypothyroidism, and cardiovascular disability due to potential incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and thyroid condition has been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism was granted a rating of 30 percent from June 24, 2011 to July 27, 2015. From July 28, 2015 to July 30, 2018, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating for hypothyroidism. Since July 31, 2018, he has been granted a 100 percent rating. For his right upper extremity muscle weakness associated with multiple sclerosis, the Veteran was initially granted a 20 percent rating in September 2012 and increased to 50 percent in September 2015. From June 24, 2011 to January 8, 2014, he received a 70 percent rating for right upper extremity muscle weakness associated with multiple sclerosis. Since January 9, 2014, the Veteran has been granted an 80 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for thyroid cancer due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including any DD Form 1141 and request a dose estimate from the Naval Dosimetry Center.

The Board has vacated the January 2018 decision denying service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, hearing loss of the right ear, OSA, blood platelet disorder, and thyroid condition. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending claims.