Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and an acquired psychiatric disability (Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any condition preexisted service.

The Veteran's kidney disability is denied as not shown to be related to service or exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for the other specified trauma stressor related disorder (claimed as depression) is granted.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism, claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability remains denied.

The Veteran's residuals of Lyme disease, including hypothyroidism, keratoconjunctivitis, and autoimmune deficiency, are found to be causally related to her service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to January 29, 2014, for a 100% disability rating for hypothyroidism. The Veteran's symptoms of bradycardia and other hypothyroidism-related issues were noted since the grant of service connection in January 2014.

Tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, residuals of thyroidectomy, obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are remanded for further development.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding left ankle strain, hysterectomy residuals, and hair loss. The Veteran's claims of service connection are otherwise denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, erectile dysfunction, a thyroid disability, hypertension, and high cholesterol are denied.,Service connection is not granted as the evidence does not support an in-service occurrence or relationship to service for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral vision loss and thyroid condition due to radiofrequency radiation exposure. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have started during active duty. The left knee, right hand, and ankle conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service. The right foot condition was also denied for the same reason. Service connection for thyroid and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.,The Veteran's left knee, right hand, and ankle conditions were not granted as they did not have a link to his military service. His right foot condition was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's thyroid condition is being remanded because the July 2015 VA examiner found that it may be aggravated by another condition (heart condition). Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient response in the March 2019 addendum opinion, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's thyroid cancer is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the condition having onset during active service.,Service connection for a left elbow condition is denied.,Lumbar spine multi-level degenerative disc disease and right elbow lateral epicondylitis status post tendon repair are remanded due to unclear periods of service.,Plantar fasciitis and hypogonadism/low testosterone are also remanded, with the same issue regarding unclear periods of service.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is also remanded.

The claim for service connection for a dental disability to include treatment purposes only is remanded.,The issues of service connection for skin, eye, and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.,The issue of service connection for prostate disability is remanded.,The issues of service connection for hypertension, thyroid disability, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea) are remanded.,The issues of effective date prior to December 12, 1989, for PTSD; initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and retroactive VA compensation benefits are remanded.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's varicose veins of the right leg are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition with residuals of bunionectomy and surgical realignment of the bones of the left foot is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and a temporary total disability rating are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding informed consent for the left hip replacement surgery. The service connection issues for toxemia and toxic thyroid goiter are also remanded as there is no Statement of the Case issued.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a thyroid disorder secondary to her service-connected PTSD was dismissed as she withdrew the appeal in August 2019.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including vision, thyroid, lung, Hepatitis C, high blood pressure, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nail, and liver disabilities are denied. The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection or rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to radiation during active service. The Veteran's diabetes is also being evaluated in relation to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The claim for service connection for thyroid cancer is remanded due to new evidence received. The issue of TDIU is also remanded as it is not ripe for adjudication.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for various disabilities. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has denied service connection for thyroid problems, infertility, bilateral hearing loss, joint pain, and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.