Thyroid disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's breast cancer and thyroid cancer, as well as her current level of hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service lead exposure caused his current hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to service, while hypothyroidism, vertigo (secondary to hypothyroidism), and granulomas in the lungs are remanded for further development.,Service connection is denied for COPD, tinnitus, and vertigo due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Hypothyroidism, vertigo (as secondary to hypothyroidism), and granulomas in the lungs remain under consideration.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is remanded for further investigation into potential radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Effective July 12, 2020, the Veteran is also eligible for SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, bilateral eye disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), headache disorder, thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's hypertension appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder, including residuals of right lobectomy, hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is granted as service connected. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition began during service.

The Board has remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's testimony indicating that his hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer post-surgery, prostate cancer, and thyroid disorder have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these appeals by the Veteran through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 28, 2017, for the award of special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance. The evidence did not show that the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for a retroactive payment of NSP or SMP benefits as of September 17, 2001, due to lack of evidence showing he was disabled in any way prior to March 28, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and its potential impact on his claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, neck disability, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded several claims, including those related to a pituitary tumor and associated disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents (PACT Act, Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune) for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's thyroid disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral eye disorder, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals during a hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and sleep disturbances) has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his in-service exposure to asbestos, fumes and contact with jet fuel (JP-4), and PCBs. The issues of respiratory disability, asthma, larynx disability, thyroid nodules, hepatic and splenic calcifications, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to March 30, 2018, for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The claims of service connection for headaches, diabetes mellitus, right foot disabilities, left foot disabilities, right knee disabilities, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Graves's disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete medical opinions and potential errors in legal interpretation. The Veteran is still eligible to pursue these claims.