Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for left knee iliotibial band syndrome, thyroid condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, sleep apnea, and spine disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant failed to submit a completed VA Form 21-4142, which would have authorized VA to obtain terminal medical records necessary to adjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for the Veteran's cause of death. The evidence was insufficient to determine whether a service-connected disability was singly or with some other condition the immediate or underlying cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder to include Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during her active duty service or continuous since service. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the condition was related to service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and hypothyroidism were denied as her conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for malignant neoplasm of the thyroid is denied. The Board finds that it was factually ascertainable that she had a malignant neoplasm as of December 8, 2014, but no earlier.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, has been reopened. The Board also remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for service-connected residuals of thyroid cancer is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis or marked limitation of motion.,For her pes planus and chronic constipation claims, additional evidence is needed as VA examinations are required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding earlier effective date for PTSD, service connection for thyroid condition and skin conditions, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, schwannoma of the right leg, and benign adenomatous nodule of the left thyroid based on herbicide exposure due to a lack of current diagnosis or medical records diagnosing these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, primary open-angle glaucoma, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a thyroid disability are also remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The appeal for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations is dismissed. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen her previously denied claim for a left eye disorder was not successful. Her claims for chronic breast disorder and thyroid disorder were also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid disability, sleep disorder (insomnia and sleep apnea), and high blood pressure. The evidence submitted since the final denial is considered new and material.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is remanded for a VA opinion to determine if it is related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran's Dupuytren’s contracture right ring finger is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, including based on herbicide exposure, due to lack of probative medical evidence linking the condition to in-service events or exposures.

The Veteran's service connection claim for restless leg syndrome is granted. The claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidism post right hemithyroidectomy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the issues of obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder (including low back pain, lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome), and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.