Thyroid disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that a remand is required to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran was not afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of diagnosed adenoid cystic carcinoma. The appeal will be reconsidered after this issue is addressed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that no service-connected disability was a principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus developed in service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease is denied as the condition did not develop in service or is otherwise unrelated to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was previously denied, but he has pre-diabetes which does not meet current disability criteria.,The Veteran's onychomycosis/onychodystrophy affects less than five percent of total body area and no exposed areas, resulting in a non-compensable rating.,Service connection for glaucoma, fatty liver disease, asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lipomas and scars status post excision of lipomas is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to concerns about updated VA examinations, particularly regarding a bilateral knee disorder. The examiner is requested to clarify whether this disorder is related to service-connected conditions or if it should be considered separately.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board has also identified errors in obtaining relevant service records and has ordered further efforts to obtain such records.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is remanded for further development and an addendum VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to service, including exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, as well as the rating for residuals of posterior iliac crest injury with degenerative joint disease, bursitis, and sensory deficit. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including renal disease with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, have resulted in a combined rating of at least 80 percent since May 2011, and currently 90 percent. The Board has granted TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. However, the Board denied service connection for a thyroid disability as there is no evidence of any endocrine disorder in service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for thyroid cancer, finding that the Veteran's service-connected thyroid cancer is currently in full remission with no evidence of any residual conditions or recurrence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability/hypothyroidism, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and a thyroid disability, including thyroid benign follicular adenoma and/or micropapillary carcinoma of the right thyroid. The decision found that the Veteran's preexisting hypothyroidism clearly and unmistakably existed prior to her active service and was not aggravated by her service.,The Board also noted that there is no evidence linking the current thyroid disabilities (adenoma and cancer) to the Veteran's active service, including exposure to herbicides or pesticides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing records, need for additional VA medical opinions, and other development needs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism, finding that there is no evidence of a causal link between the two conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for hyperthyroidism, finding that the new evidence did not relate to a possible link between his current condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer and esophageal cancer, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of acromioclavicular separation, left shoulder, and TDIU prior to January 30, 2012. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.