Thyroid disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for arthritis of the left shoulder, arthritis of the right shoulder, and a left knee disability. All other claims remain denied.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and a wasp sting residual face scar. Service connection is denied for anxiety disorder and insomnia. Hypothyroidism service connection is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and a heart disability, both of which are presumed to be due to in-service exposure to toxins while serving in the Persian Gulf. The AOJ is directed to obtain updated medical opinions addressing these issues based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions, exposure history, and potential causes.

The Veteran's left arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disorder.,Other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, left arm weakness, and memory loss due to additional development being required. The issues are related to direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.,Service connection for gout is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a prostate disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a kidney disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a left ankle disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as they are caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Effective dates prior to July 9, 2015, for bilateral hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for hypothyroidism from July 8, 2016 was denied. The current disability evaluation of 30 percent is considered appropriate based on the Veteran's symptoms including fatigue, mental sluggishness, problems with sleep, loss of concentration, and difficulty losing weight.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current thyroid disability, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of the radiation exposure claim. The Veteran's thyroid cancer is being reviewed, along with claims for radiation and radiofrequency exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied. The claim was granted on a presumptive basis under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there is no evidence showing the Veteran filed a claim within one year of his separation from active service in October 1967 or before May 3, 1989. The appeal for other conditions was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid nodule, including due to ionizing radiation exposure and chemical exposure. The issues of headaches and allergic rhinitis have been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thyroid condition, but remanded his claims for bilateral knee and intestinal conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete or undelivered correspondence, and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's mental and psychological symptoms related to hypothyroid endocrine dysfunction are rated at 70 percent, effective from December 10, 2017, to May 9, 2019, and from November 1, 2021, thereafter.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition based on the presumption of service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted a 100% rating for hypothyroidism effective February 1, 2014. The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the highest possible under VA guidelines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid condition, including especially hypothyroidism, due to lack of medical nexus evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and pituitary adenoma, both claimed as resulting from ionizing radiation exposure during active service. The claims are being reviewed due to a lack of definitive evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure.