Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, curved spine, bilateral lower extremity condition, COPD, and thyroid condition.

The Veteran's claims for ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to appear for scheduled examinations. The Veteran will be provided with new examination dates.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hearing loss, but remanded the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism due to lack of relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thyroid disorder, which is related to his conceded in-service exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence supports that this condition is due to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for cardiac disorder, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disorder as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is also not supported.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's thyroid cancer and his military service, including exposure to chemicals and cleaning products used during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides and radiation, as well as his service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must conduct further development including obtaining updated treatment records and verifying any claims of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism has been granted a 60 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The reduction in the left thumb disability rating was restored to 10 percent. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) have also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hypothyroidism (Graves' Disease) is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding their relationship to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted a 30 percent rating, effective May 1, 2009. Service connection for Hashimoto's thyroiditis is denied.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer, residuals of lymph node biopsy, and medium sternal mass have been granted service connection. The Veteran's disability of the colon and right eye cataract are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, back, left ankle, and hypothyroidism disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding service connection.,The TDIU claim is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypothyroidism and herbicide agent exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for uterine fibroids, claimed as infertility and irregular periods due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has not received new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hypothyroidism, which was previously denied in 2004 due to lack of a causal link between the condition and service. The Veteran's representative argued that his diabetes mellitus could be secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism, but this theory is not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism with resulting hypothyroidism is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between Graves' disease and in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism and non-malignant thyroid nodular disease are due to ionizing radiation exposure during his active military service, which is granted as direct service connection.