Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including high cholesterol, gout, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disability, a heart disability, urinary incontinence, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), headaches, a prostate disability, a thyroid disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, microscopic hematuria, obesity/weight gain, bilateral knee disability, hypothyroidism and nodular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, and kidney disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to assess the severity of the Veteran's hypothyroidism.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the veteran's claims, including evaluations for various conditions and service connection requests.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during or shortly after active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder, anemia, and hyperparathyroidism are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and chronic myeloid leukemia due to exposure to ionizing radiation while stationed in Europe.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying employment history.

The Board has denied service connection for heart and thyroid disorders, including as due to asbestos exposure, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed service in the Republic of Vietnam. Additional development is needed to verify his alleged service.

The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn all remaining issues on appeal. The AOJ will issue an SOC regarding the initial evaluations and effective date for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for back disorder and remanded all other issues related to her hip conditions, stomach condition, tension headaches, and unspecified urinary tract condition. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder polyps, thyroid disorder (goiter and multinodular goiter), and right adrenal gland disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune or Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism has been granted. The appeal to reopen the claim is also granted. However, the claims for an increased rating for hypertension and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, parathyroid disability, seizure disorder, and swallowing disorder. The Veteran's claims were also denied for reopening his claims for lip cancer and stroke residuals due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The issues of service connection for kidney disability (claimed as secondary to peripheral neuropathy and PTSD) and thyroid disability (claimed as secondary to parathyroid adenoma) are inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asthma, bilateral hearing loss, ankle and elbow disabilities, knee disabilities, hypothyroidism, and a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's diabetes insipidus and adrenal failure/insufficiency are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's hypoparathyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's osteoporosis and glaucoma are currently not service connected, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.