Thyroid disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism is granted as presumptively due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for Graves' disease, hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam is presumed. The disability was related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection for hypothyroidism is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's TBI case is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate and there are outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral glaucoma, bilateral loss of vision (including retinal detachment), hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, thyroid disorder, headache disorder, and cardiac disorder as there was no evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it manifested within one year of separation from service. Service connection was denied for the thyroid disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid condition as due to radiation exposure, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or any link between the condition and active duty.

The Board has previously remanded these matters for evidentiary development. The VA examinations and medical opinions have been obtained, but the Board finds that the November 2020 VA opinions are inadequate and requires another remand.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, musculoskeletal, metabolic disorders, ulcer, and right ear hearing loss. Service connection is granted for hypertension and thyroid disability as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the current evidence does not support a higher rating, and thus denied an increased rating.,Service connection for hypertension was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism, finding it presumptively related to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bronchitis has been dismissed. The Veteran was granted an initial 30 percent rating for hypothyroid endocrine dysfunction and a 10 percent rating for cholecystectomy. The cases of atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a left lower eyebrow disability. Claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, and lymph node cancer (lymphoma) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure or other contaminants, including for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypothyroidism; hypertension; lumbar spine disorder; diabetic retinopathy; peripheral neuropathy; glaucoma; and residuals of a myocardial infarction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer, lung cancer, and COPD due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for a VA opinion on whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer is causally related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for medullary thyroid cancer is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete evidence. The Veteran needs to provide information about his treatment for thyroid disability, including medical records from providers not already provided to VA. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and severity of the service-connected thyroid disability.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, internal bleeding, and anemia. However, the claims for temporary blindness and thyroid disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's ADHD is rated at 30 percent since April 1, 2019. His hypothyroidism remains rated at 30 percent as of April 1, 2019.

The Veteran's case is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess her current thyroid cancer and depression severity.