Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, peptic ulcer, low back disorder, bilateral foot condition, sinus condition, and hypothyroidism due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a hair loss disorder and increased rating for thyroid disability. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also added.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravates his hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current disability is related to military service.,Service connection for prostate disorder, including BPH and hypothyroidism were also denied as there was no indication they had their onset during or are otherwise related to service.

Service connection for gastritis/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The cases of thyroid cancer and associated conditions are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's end stage renal disease, status post kidney transplant is granted a 100 percent evaluation. The initial evaluation for hyperparathyroidism prior to December 10, 2017 was denied. For hyperparathyroidism since December 10, 2017, the case is remanded as more evidence is needed.

The Board denied service connection for penile cancer, throat cancer, and thyroid disability due to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship between his in-service exposure and the conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thyroid disorder and brain disorder due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA examinations and medical opinions need to be conducted again, with a focus on addressing the etiology of the conditions.

The claim for service connection of hypothyroidism as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is denied. The claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU due to PTSD prior to November 1, 2010 are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's thyroid disability and his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 25, 2010. The issues are being remanded due to procedural errors and need further development.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a parathyroid tumor removal and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for osteoporosis, claiming it as secondary to residuals of parathyroid tumor removal. The Veteran's residuals of parathyroid tumor removal were not found to be related to his military service, and no new and material evidence was provided to support reopening the claim of service connection for osteoporosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis, hypothyroidism, and low testosterone due to unclear medical opinions and lack of adequate evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis for the period since September 25, 2009. However, the case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and thyroid disease due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their relationship to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for throat cancer, thyroid disorder, loss of taste, and hemorrhoids due to inextricably intertwined issues with service connection for throat cancer. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and left hip disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has found a 10 percent rating for service-connected hypertension is warranted.,The Veteran’s hypothyroidism secondary to radiotherapy (previously rated as Graves’ Disease) is remanded due to his contention that it has worsened since the last examination.