Thyroid disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and decisions for the Veteran. The case is being remanded so these records can be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a thyroid disability is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for OSA, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating.,The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as it may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or secondary to hypothyroidism, which was raised by the NDAA in 2021.,The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is referred to the AOJ for adjudication. The Board notes that erectile dysfunction may also be related to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism and lumbar bulging disc at L5-S1 and degenerative changes with bilateral foraminal stenosis are granted. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of conjunctivitis is remanded, as well as his claims for glaucoma and thoracic spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disability, and increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities prior to August 14, 2020, were denied. The claim for an increased rating for her right and left knee disabilities after August 14, 2020, was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, a distended or weakened bladder, cytomegalovirus, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent throughout the appeal period, effective February 22, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder is not related to her service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and ensure compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypothyroidism is related to his in-service exposure to TCE while stationed at WAFB, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for thyroid disorder and thyroid disorder nodule are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for pituitary gland disorder, microadenoma is remanded as it may be related to service or military exposure. An addendum opinion is needed regarding his in-service complaints.,The Veteran's skin disorder claim is remanded because the current medical evidence does not support a link to service due to presumed herbicide exposure. An addendum opinion is required addressing his lay reports of symptoms during service.,The Veteran's hypertension condition is being remanded for an opinion on whether it is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's residuals of stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage claim is being remanded for opinions on whether they are related or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's bone loss, allergy shot residuals, COPD, and allergic conjunctivitis are all being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issues of gastrointestinal disorders, GERD, bilateral eye disorder, thyroid disorder, and skin disorder due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for kidney transplant with residual surgical scars and hyperparathyroidism due to outstanding VA, private, and SSA records. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for release of any relevant private treatment records and an updated VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic constipation and hypothyroidism due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran needs to clarify her service in Kuwait, and an addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner to reconcile the conflicting medical findings.