Thyroid disorder decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s conditions to his presumed exposure to contaminated water.

The claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and tuberculosis have been reopened due to new evidence. However, the claims are still being remanded as there is no presumptive service connection available for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. His bilateral leg and foot disabilities, hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease), and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for drug-induced hypothyroidism as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and thyroid disability. The decision also dismissed the issues of service connection for hypertension and thyroid disability due to their withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include respiratory condition, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the absence of treatment records, including for lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as hiatal hernia/GERD), and right knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not considered primary causes of his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism due to the lack of a VA medical opinion addressing the relationship between these conditions and herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded as there are outstanding treatment records that have not yet been associated with the claims file.,Further examination and opinion may be needed to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid disability, finding that the Veteran's nodules are not cancerous or tumors and not causally related to his active service, including exposure to radiation during service.,The Board also denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for asbestosis, noting that the Veteran’s condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on pulmonary function tests.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to clarify the severity and scope of the Veteran's current service-connected hypothyroidism, including whether her symptoms of hand and foot coldness and numbness are attributable to a distinct diagnosis other than her service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the appellant requires aid and assistance due to her disabilities, which may affect her need for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease is rated at 60 percent since August 15, 2017. He was granted a TDIU beginning on that date.,Effective December 11, 2017, the Veteran has been awarded SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and opinions to address the etiology of various conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not related to exposure to herbicide agents or the PACT Act.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides and contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid problems, and diabetes mellitus are denied. Service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted.

Service connection for benign papilloma of bladder status post laser uretholithiasis is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for pneumonia is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disability, left wrist disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and back disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation.