Thyroid disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis, non-A non-B; right pyelonephritis (kidney condition); an acquired mental disorder (anxiety and major depressive disorder); an ectopic pregnancy and its residuals; and hyperthyroidism due to unclear etiology and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, GERD, thyroid disorder, fibromyalgia, cholecystitis, skin disorders, and joint issues is granted. The decision also remands the claims for an eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and other related secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia with valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation is related to military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The thyroid condition (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) is remanded to determine if it was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected heart disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism resulted in symptoms including mental disturbance (slowing of thought) and bradycardia, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure history and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and hypothyroidism were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, back disability, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, which is now granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's hypothyroidism claim is being returned for further development and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pituitary adenoma and hypothyroidism, as well as neuropathy of the right and left hands, all allegedly due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral exophthalmos with dry eye is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating available for disorders of the lacrimal apparatus (20%).,For the period prior to June 7, 2022, the Veteran's hyperthyroidism residuals are rated as 10 percent disabling due to fatigability and treatment with continuous medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes, so his claim of service connection for this condition must be denied. For the other conditions, the Board found that additional development is needed including examinations and etiology opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama during her period of ACDUTRA. The VA will provide appropriate examinations and determine if there is a relationship between these conditions and the in-service exposures.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to address the heart issues and their relationship to service. The thyroid cancer claim is denied as there is no evidence of current thyroid cancer.

The Board has remanded the cases of left ear hearing loss and hypothyroidism for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's Graves' disease and thyroid disability, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroid endocrine dysfunction, have been granted service connection. The thyroid disability is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to fully assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and updating VA treatment records. The claims are remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his active service, despite the fact that it is not a presumptive condition associated with radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the June 2021 decision, and additional development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disability, and renal disability due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.