Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a thyroid disorder, increased ratings for PTSD and related conditions, and an earlier effective date for hearing loss. The Board dismissed these issues as the appellant has requested to withdraw them.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and his rating for IBS is increased to 10 percent. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess his disability picture.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a skin disorder, thyroid cancer, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these claims by his attorney.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea cruris and hyperthyroidism are remanded due to worsening symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The thyroid and pituitary gland conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with its previous remand directives and a need for another addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected right knee disability and service connection for left knee disability, to include as due to service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's appeal remains on hold until further action is taken.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure. The hypertension, hypothyroidism, and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a left ankle disability, eye disability, thyroid disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability (reopened), right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and hemorrhoids, are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted after his appeal was certified. The issues include hypertension, thyroid disorder, larynx disorder, lung disorder, and a neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s disease).

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for post-concussive headaches, but dismissed the claims for tinnitus and scar on chest. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypothyroidism, a prolactinoma, and a jaw condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has ordered the case back to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism, temporal lobe epilepsy, and hypertension are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is also directed to schedule the Veteran for a VA eye examination in accordance with procedures for incarcerated veterans.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for thyroid enlargement, non-toxic, status post left thyroidectomy and thyroid goiter excision, anterior neck surgical scar (partial thyroidectomy and excision of 7.5 cm. goiter), and gallbladder stones, post-operative as moot due to the grant of these conditions in a February 2020 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete contact information and need for updated medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Ear infections and vertigo are also being remanded for further development as the VA examiner’s opinion is insufficient.,Tuberculosis, COPD, and hypertension secondary to PTSD/Hypothyroidism are being remanded due to incomplete or conflicting evidence.,Hypertension is being remanded because of a lack of information regarding fuel fume exposure in service.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for papillary thyroid carcinoma is granted, as his condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.