Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and hypothyroidism as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and/or due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or caused by service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's widow applied for death pension due to her need for aid and attendance. The Board found that the appellant, as a son of the Veteran and his widow, was not eligible for accrued benefits because he did not meet the legal criteria to be considered a 'child' for VA purposes. However, the appellant is entitled to reimbursement for expenses he paid out of pocket for his mother's assisted living facility during her last sickness.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected T11-T12 compression fracture and L1 compression fractures, as well as his hypothyroidism, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and hypothyroidism due to in-service exposure, as well as their secondary service connection with PTSD, MDD, and DMII. The case is being sent back for new VA opinions regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne or chloracne and hypothyroidism were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found that the Veteran did not have continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation, specifically to determine if it is related to service-connected conditions or due to other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in previous opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and right elbow disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence, but the Board is unable to make a determination on the merits as there are no VA examination reports available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, breathing disability, chronic kidney disease, prostate condition, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and his active duty service, particularly radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, prostate disorders, colon cysts, and thyroid cancer due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and schizophrenia, was granted. Service connection for the anxiety disorder is also granted. The claims for upper respiratory disorders and thyroid disorder are denied. A rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer and low back disability is denied. Left lower extremity radiculopathy ratings prior to March 30, 2015 and after that date are also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid cyst, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected hypothyroidism was granted, with a 30 percent rating from May 12, 2010 through May 14, 2013. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent since May 15, 2013 and the TDIU claim were both denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted, as new evidence supports the reopening of his previously denied claim.,Service connection for ankle, foot, knee, hip and hand pain (claimed as muscular and movement pains) is granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in opinions and need for further clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypothyroidism, specifically whether it is related to service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his diabetes.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ankle strain warrants a 20% evaluation, but not higher. The case is being remanded for further development regarding his hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

Your appeal has been dismissed as you have withdrawn your request for a hearing and to continue the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to hazardous chemicals, and thus service connection is denied.