Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypothyroidism with exophthalmos is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The old and amended rating criteria should be considered in evaluating the condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for parathyroid adenoma, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of basal cell carcinoma, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence received after previous remands.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an extraschedular rating for a gunshot wound injury, initial ratings for hypertension and hyperparathyroidism, effective date determinations, and TDIU prior to August 31, 2006. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service, which is necessary for a determination on his claim of service connection for thyroid cancer.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid disorder and Graves' disease, finding no direct evidence of causation in service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, and bilateral eye disorder other than macular degeneration due to exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examinations need to be supplemented with additional opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions in relation to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and thyroid cancer, finding insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip condition, right hip condition, migraine headaches, and hypothyroidism due to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia. The AOJ must issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.,Specifically, the Board is directed to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s claimed gynecological disorders.

The Veteran seeks service connection for thyroid cancer and Hashimoto's disease, claiming these conditions are due to ionizing radiation exposure during her military service. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error has occurred and remands the case for further development related to radiogenic diseases.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for hyperthyroidism, service connection for finger joint pain, and restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for pseudofollicular barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's cataracts and upper and lower bilateral peripheral neuropathy are granted for accrued benefits purposes as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is denied, as it cannot be attributed to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, residuals of a pilonidal cyst, esophageal cancer, and hypothyroidism due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's status-post Graves' disease with hypothyroidism, specifically discounting the ameliorative effects of medication. The examiner is requested to provide a more detailed assessment.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypothyroidism, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both legs due to additional VA treatment records being added to the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the need to obtain certain medical records. The TDIU issue is also deferred until further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and/or herbicide exposure. The VA examiner must provide a new opinion on these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's thyroid condition and mental confusion are not service-connected, but has ordered further development to determine if these conditions are related to in-service herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, thyroid nodules, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.