Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is characterized as myxedema, and has been rated at a maximum of 100 percent since November 15, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the specific toxic exposure that the Veteran experienced during service, and a need for a new medical opinion on whether this exposure caused the thyroid disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of eye disability, cyst removal, and head injury have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thyroid condition, endometriosis, and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid cancer as due to the appellant's service-connected Hashimoto's thyroid disease. The rating of 100 percent for hypothyroidism is also granted, effective June 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical strain and upper extremity radiculopathy are being granted increased ratings, but the maximum available benefit has not been assigned.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion provided in previous examinations.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is also remanded due to inadequate medical opinion provided in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Meniere's syndrome, thyroid condition, and nausea is granted. Service connection is also established for TBI and neck disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the evidence does not show an exceptional disability picture.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's hyperthyroidism and Graves disease. The Veteran testified that her symptoms began during active duty, but these complaints were not documented in service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to additional evidence received and the PACT Act, which requires a TERA-specific examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bladder disability, thyroid disorder, recurrent leg sore residuals, bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, hysterectomy residuals, sleep disorder, and psychiatric disability (claimed as memory loss), finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and service or any other service-connected condition.,The Board concluded that the Veteran's reported symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection based on the lack of competent medical evidence linking her disabilities to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's thyroid disability, including whether it is related to in-service exposure to radiation or toxic exposure as an aircraft mechanic.

The Veteran's death was caused by his thyroid cancer, which the Board found to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism/a thyroid disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Service connection is granted for hypertension based on service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hypertension, thyroid condition, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to ensure compliance with prior instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's dry skin is a residual effect of her hypothyroidism, and to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroiditis is currently rated as zero percent disabling due to normal thyroid function.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) has been increased to 70% disabling effective July 2, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives, particularly regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and other chemicals during service. The claims are not about service connection under the PACT Act or Agent Orange/Agent Orange-like conditions.

The Board has restored service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected euthyroid goiter.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for right ankle disability and partial thyroidectomy/hypothyroidism are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Service connection is sought for a right ankle disability and hypothyroidism. The Veteran's in-service injury and symptoms have not been adequately addressed by the VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the claim for Graves' disease/thyroid condition due to potential exposure to burn pits during service in the Republic of Vietnam. A TERA specific examination is required to determine if the conditions are related to this exposure.