Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, is granted effective from April 24, 2017. The earlier effective dates for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic/coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hyperthyroidism (Grave's Disease), finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his periods of active duty for training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. The presumption of exposure applies due to the Veteran’s service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is remanded due to the inconclusive findings and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating, stating she was satisfied with the current rating of 30% for her service-connected thyroidectomy scar associated with hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 21, 2015 rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for diabetes, neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, heart disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hyperthyroidism and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of laceration to the head, including cervical spine disability, vertigo, jaw disability and scarring; hypertension; right knee disability; erectile dysfunction (ED); and sleep disorder, including sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted initial ratings of 10 percent for shin splints of the right leg, left leg, folliculitis of the bilateral arms, otitis externa of the left ear, and blepharitis of the left eye.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder does not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, and he is not housebound due to his service-connected disability. Therefore, entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left knee condition, right knee condition, GERD, spot on the lung, tinnitus, vision condition, hiatal hernia, hypothyroidism, gout or high blood pressure and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Board also found no evidence that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected central hypothyroidism and cluster headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that either condition is severe enough to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder has been controlled with continuous medication. During the appeal period, there were no symptoms of fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness attributable to her thyroid disorder.

The appeal for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypogonadism is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's heart disease, tumor on skull, tumors on the pancreas, lost spleen, and thyroid cancer are all granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hyperthyroidism is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his thyroid disorder had its onset or is otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been denied.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the previously denied claims for diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, vision disability, hemorrhoids, thyroid disability, laryngitis, tachycardia, migraine, respiratory disorder (bronchial asthma), and a fatty liver and liver cysts have all been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the previously denied claims for gastritis, reflux, duodenitis and/or diverticulitis, hiatal hernia, cervical disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral leg disability, back disability (claimed as radiation of pain to the back and right side of body), left shoulder disability, vesicular disorder of the bilateral leg, gallbladder disability have all been granted due to new and material evidence.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.,Service connection is denied for hypertension and thyroid disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and thyroid disorder have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For the hearing loss claim, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent has also been denied.

The Veteran's Hodgkin’s lymphoma is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the claim for service connection has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied due to lack of audiometric test results meeting VA's definition of a disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the Veteran did not provide evidence showing it manifested during service or within one year following separation from service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, thyroid disability, and right hip disability were all denied based on insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.