Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeals for left inguinal pain disorder, right inguinal pain disorder, acid reflux disorder, residual appendectomy scar, and hyperthyroidism. Service connection was granted for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the service connection for thyroid disability. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with an appropriate VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and sleep apnea, as well as his rating for left hip strain and left knee disability. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and thyroid nodules have been reopened, but both claims are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's daughter, K.W., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to her medical conditions and disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as glaucoma (eye disability), paronychia/onychia, sleep apnea, colon polyps, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral thyroid tumor with removal residuals and lower left lung cancer are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding radiation exposure.

The Board denied service connection for clear cell renal carcinoma and thyroid follicular neoplasm, finding no evidence of a causal relationship to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded all the issues related to service connection for various disorders due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer, colon cancer, and a heart condition due to radiation exposure. The preponderance of evidence supports that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right below the knee amputation was not caused by VA negligence, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for Graves’ disease or thyroid disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0% since August 26, 2014. The claim for a higher rating is remanded as there is no new evidence of worsening since the last examination.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains December 5, 2013 due to lack of earlier entitlement.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and tinnitus is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine if it began in service or is related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine the nature of his condition.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on the relationship between the conditions.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes is also remanded for similar reasons.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a left eye condition.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for hypothyroidism has been granted at a 30 percent level, effective February 1, 2012. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for thyroid condition, hypothyroidism, GERD with IBS, and atopic dermatitis due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The claim for service connection for thyroid nodules, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation or secondary to hypothyroidism is reopened and remanded. The Veteran's medical records suggest a nexus between his service-connected hypothyroidism and his thyroid nodule. A VA examination is needed to determine if the benign thyroid nodule and non-malignant thyroid nodular disease are the same disorders, and whether they were caused by ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism was denied. The Board found that the current criteria do not meet the requirements for a higher rating under the applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and a thyroid disorder as secondary to type-2 diabetes have been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the claim of a thyroid disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, tinnitus, left sciatic nerve disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Board has denied service connection for left leg condition, anxiety disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The issues of acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder), rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism are remanded due to incomplete development.