Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and additional compensable ratings for his left quadriceps muscle injury, left knee scar, and parathyroid gland removal scars are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's thyroid condition is related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides and contaminants at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for squamous cell carcinoma and thyroid cancer due to herbicide exposure, as there is insufficient direct evidence of a link between these conditions and his service. The Veteran submitted articles indicating an increased risk of cancer in veterans exposed to toxic herbicides, but this alone does not establish service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including those secondary to cancer of the larynx, are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and an increased rating for hypothyroidism. The Veteran's claims will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, authorize private medical records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to environmental hazards during military service, including aviation fuel and cleaning chemicals. The appellant's MOS as a helicopter technician suggests he was exposed to these substances.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent bilateral tinnitus, and thyroid condition as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's time in service.,There were inconsistencies in the veteran's statements regarding his exposure to acoustic trauma during service and the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that DIC benefits are not warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD not meeting the criteria for total disability rating for 10 or more years immediately preceding death. The cause of death is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether the service-connected PTSD caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's combined tension/migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 13, 2006. The Board has granted a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran is entitled to a temporary total evaluation following her right first great toe cheilectomy due to the need for convalescence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, squamous cell carcinoma, intracranial subdural hematoma, peripheral neuropathy, thyroid disability, and heart disability. The remand is due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including residuals of clival meningioma and related conditions, are being remanded due to her failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for lymphoma, melanoma, enlarged thyroid gland, myasthenia gravis, and chronic lung changes. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and parathyroid adenoma due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for hairy cell leukemia is remanded as there are outstanding private treatment records needed.,Service connection cannot be established because the evidence does not show a link between the current disabilities and active duty, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and for further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60% rating for hyperthyroidism is denied. The claim for a higher rating for hyperthyroidism from April 27, 2016 is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension is granted. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hypertension is remanded due to the lack of recent VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for joint pains with fevers, right ankle disability, hearing loss, asthma, liver disorder, gallstones, and hypothyroidism. The issue of severance of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of thyroidectomy is denied, and his service connection claim for thyroid disease and residuals of thyroidectomy is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, hemorrhoids, poor circulation in the right leg, thyroid disability (hypothyroidism), and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to service.,For heart disability, the Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and hypothyroidism has been dismissed due to his death.