Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disability, thyroid disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are not decided at this time.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypothyroidism began during his active service or is otherwise related to his time on active duty. A VA medical examination is required.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence.

The claims of service connection for pituitary adenoma with prolactinoma, hypothyroidism, and a psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, erectile dysfunction, and left knee disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine. Additionally, another Gulf War examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of her claimed fatigue disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to in-service exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Léjeune, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The AOJ is directed to obtain all relevant records and provide additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issues include thyroid disorder, hypertension, skin disorder, and kidney cancer, all potentially related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's papillary cancer of the thyroid is service-connected, as her military service may have contributed to her condition.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiac arrest, with underlying causes being end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease. The Appellant seeks service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service in Vietnam. Additionally, she claims DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318. She also seeks service connection for thyroid cancer for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is required to address these questions and provide a rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for papillary cancer of the thyroid due to toxin exposure and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as they are inextricably intertwined. The case is being returned for further development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed exposures during his active duty service.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed for another VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroid condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided to the Veteran are inadequate and remands several issues for further development, including a new examination for hypothyroidism and cardiac arrhythmia. The claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, hypoglycemic seizures, lumbar strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, mitral valve prolapse, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected anemia, normochromic and normocytic has been withdrawn. The issue of service connection for a thyroid disorder is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claimed thyroid, GERD, and throat disabilities have not been shown to be related to service or any undiagnosed illness. The Board found that the conditions are not attributable to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination and for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's thyroid enlargement is a congenital disease or defect, and if it preexisted service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and thyroid disability due to service or service-connected kidney disability. The Veteran's current thyroid condition is not related to his service-connected kidney disability, while his cognitive symptoms are intertwined with diagnosed depression.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid cancer and lung cancer, finding that the current diagnoses are related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, including thyroidmegaly and mild thyroid nodules, is rated at 60 percent for the period beginning December 15, 2014 to June 7, 2018.,Secondary service connection was granted for a depressive disorder secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) from November 11, 2019. The TDIU was also granted prior to that date on an extra-schedular basis.