Thyroid disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's anaplastic thyroid cancer is due to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service aboard the USS New York City. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, thyroid disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and esophageal varices are all remanded for further development. The issues include service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anemia, sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism have been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting withdrawals of her appeals.,Her right foot strain was rated noncompensable prior to June 6, 2011. From that date, she received a separate 10% rating for arthritis in her right foot. The Board denied a higher rating from July 23, 2014 to January 9, 2020 and granted a 50% rating starting from January 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation has been remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is granted as presumptively due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including tinnitus, sleep apnea, skin condition, heart condition, hypertension, and foot fungus are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including colon cancer, thyroid condition, lung condition, prostate condition, skin condition, and left foot disability, due to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is needed to obtain medical records and provide opinions on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her reported exposures at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during service. The claims are related to multiple conditions including chronic hepatitis A, compromised immune system, heart condition, irritable bowel syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's parathyroid adenoma is related to his service as a flight surgeon at Area 51, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was granted, with the AOJ reinstating the appeal due to a timely filed substantive appeal after requesting an extension of time.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The eye disability, adrenal gland tumor, and tumor neoplasm of the right side are not service-connected as they were not shown during service or related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema, hypothyroidism, right knee lateral instability, left knee lateral instability, right shin splints, and left shin splints have been granted. The Veteran's depression has also been granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent from June 22, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cysts, testosterone disability, and facial scars were dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened due to new evidence, but the appeal remains pending as it is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypothyroidism are granted as they are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service at the Korat RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for sarcoidosis, brain lesions and seizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as chemical and radiation exposure. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and schedule him for further examinations if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, bilateral athlete's foot condition, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung/respiratory condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, and morbid obesity due to potential exposure to environmental hazards in Atsugi Japan. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.