Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected Hashimoto's thyroiditis is granted a 60 percent rating, effective September 7, 2011. She also receives TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand, which is not covered by the Vietnam Era presumption, credible. However, there is no affirmative evidence to rebut the presumption for these conditions. The respiratory disability, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and thyroid nodule are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for hypothyroidism was assigned a 10 percent rating, and the Board has decided to remand this matter due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for status post hemithyroidectomy, including as due to radiation exposure, is remanded. The issue of a temporary total evaluation for the same condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and left-hand fracture, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to service. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to PTSD, scarring of the left hand and forehead/neck, low back disability, fragment wound to the neck, shell fragment wound to the forehead, and service connection for papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid. The SSOC issued in February 2020 did not include these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inability to obtain VA examinations because of incarceration. The RO is instructed to make reasonable attempts to arrange an examination at the prison by VHA personnel, prison medical providers at VA expense, or fee-basis providers contracted by VHA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to his military service or presumed exposure to contaminated water and tactical herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report from August 2017, which failed to discuss the Veteran's history of thyroid symptoms or provide sufficient detail regarding the current severity of his disorder. The Veteran is asked to submit updated clinical records and a new VA examination if necessary.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and thyroid cancer should be remanded due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's initial evaluations for hypothyroidism and depression and attention deficit disorder have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed.,Service connection for coronary artery disease, to include heart attacks, is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for anemia and thyroid disorders, as well as secondary service connection for lipoma of the left arm, cysts of the bilateral ovaries, and cysts of the bilateral breasts. The cases are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, as secondary to his already service-connected hepatitis. The VA examiners provided multiple negative opinions stating that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected hepatitis and his current hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer was not shown in service and is not related to service, including participation in a radiation risk activity. The Board denied the claim for service connection due to lack of nexus between the condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) is found to be the cause of his current diagnoses of hypogonadism and hypothyroidism. The claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and SMC are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a throat condition/sinusitis and thyroid condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis or evidence of in-service injury, event, or disease related to these conditions.,The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran’s current thyroid condition and his service-connected jaw fractures.