Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right leg deep vein thrombophlebitis and hypothyroidism are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I was granted service connection. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various complications are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hyperthyroidism due to herbicide exposure, as it is unclear whether such exposures occurred based on the available evidence. The AOJ must verify the Veteran’s alleged exposure to herbicides during his service at Eglin and Turner Air Force Base.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for status post thyroid papillary carcinoma with total thyroidectomy and residual, 20 percent for impingement of the left shoulder, and 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of renal insufficiency is denied. The claim for a higher initial rating prior to January 16, 2014 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date are also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are being reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatic cancer and hypothyroidism due to herbicide exposure, as there is insufficient medical evidence or reasoning provided in the original decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's allegations of worsening hypothyroidism and new symptoms, including anxiety, depression, muscular weakness, memory fog, infertility (to include cardiovascular involvement), since his last VA examination in March 2019. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his hypothyroidism.

Service connection was denied for hypertension, a heart disability (fast heart), and hyperthyroidism. The Veteran's claims of service connection were not supported by the evidence of record.,Compensation under U.S.C. § 1151 for hypertension and hyperthyroidism was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, mycobacterium-avium complex, hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, atrial fibrillation, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand or at Eglin AFB.

The Veteran's claims for venous insufficiency, fatigue in the legs, an enlarged testicle, and soft tissue sarcoma have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure), erectile dysfunction (as secondary to prostate cancer), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, thyroid disorder, tremors, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, gout, and kidney disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by papillary thyroid carcinoma, which is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran had a service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling for over ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has granted service connection for cancer of the right tonsil and hypothyroidism, which is secondary to cancer of the right tonsil. The decision is based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's Graves' disease and hypothyroidism are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board denied service connection for leukemia, cataracts, and thyroid disorder as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or association with military service and noting that the Veteran's condition was not present until years after discharge. The decision also noted a lack of evidence linking Agent Orange exposure to hypothyroidism.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, joint pain, fatigue, intolerance to cold temperatures (cold hands), and an acquired psychiatric condition as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder, finding that there was no evidence of direct causation or secondary to a pre-existing condition. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any complaints or diagnosis related to this condition during service and that the gap in treatment post-service does not support continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's larynx and trachea papillary thyroid carcinoma is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, thus granting service connection.