Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for right knee arthroscope and arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and left knee meniscectomy and arthritis. The appeals for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids as of October 7, 2014, and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ear disorder, hemorrhoids, thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), and allergic rhinitis. The sleep disorder claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his type 2 diabetes mellitus was a contributory cause and may be presumed to have resulted from exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thyroid condition and dental condition, finding no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during service and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism was not shown to have started during service or within one year after separation, and there is no evidence linking it to a disease or injury in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid condition, and carotid artery stenosis must be remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected hypothyroidism is denied as the evidence does not show that she meets the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The effective date of the award of service connection for hypertension is denied as it does not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.104.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The VA will need to verify if the Veteran was present within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's thyroid adenoma was denied a compensable rating, but she received a TDIU.,PTSD benefits were granted with an effective date of August 2014. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's major depression was granted service connection. The other conditions were denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for hypothyroidism was granted, and she is now rated at 60 percent since November 30, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and procuring relevant dental records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and residuals of a stroke have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service, and no competent medical evidence linking them to his service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to thyroid cancer, finding no evidence linking it to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim was based on non-ionizing radiation from radar equipment.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid cancer, aortic dissection, calculi of the gallbladder, and cancer of the lymph nodes as they are all related to the Veteran's time in active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hyperthyroidism aggravated his type II diabetes mellitus, which contributed to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.