Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for goiter and its residuals, including a post-surgical scar and hypothyroidism requiring continuous hormone replacement therapy.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including back disability, right knee disability, bilateral sciatica, neck disability, chronic headache disorder, and associated conditions. The decision also includes a request for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's service connection for sarcoidosis has been granted under the PACT Act, presuming it is related to his exposure to burn pits during his service in Kuwait. Service connection for hypothyroidism as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis has also been granted.,Service connection for a disability manifested by brain lesion and seizures, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypothyroidism due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on the merits is remanded due to new evidence showing chronic back pain since discharge. Other claims are also remanded for VA examinations and opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, as these conditions are claimed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to seek verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as she is already receiving the maximum benefits for her service-connected mood disorder. The claims for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for a thyroid disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperthyroidism, residuals of a right-hand injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, left eye vision disorder, headaches, polycythemia vera, hypertension, and transient ischemic attack are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated based on the results of these examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's thyroid condition and whether his benign neoplasm of the parathyroid is related to service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer and thyroid cancer, both linked to exposure to herbicide agents. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's current symptomatology, including her skin condition and weight gain, as well as whether these conditions are related to her service-connected hypothyroidism. The rating for the period from July 8, 2016, remains unchanged.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypothyroidism have been assigned the maximum schedular ratings.,PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to June 16, 2018 but not from that date.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 29, 2015 for the right knee disability rating. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection on various issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, granted.,Service connection for a thyroid nodule is denied as the evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, to include constipation. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including kidney disability, heart disability, liver disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy, all related to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's service in Vietnam was not confirmed, and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and thyroid nodules (endocrine condition) claims are remanded for additional development. The left knee and lumbar disability secondary to service-connected conditions also need further examination and opinion.,The Veteran needs a new VA examination for her right ankle disability, as the previous examinations did not address functional loss during flare-ups or with repetitive use over time. She also requires a new VA endocrine examination to determine if she has an endocrine condition related to service. The left knee and lumbar disability claims need further evaluation by different examiners.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The claim is being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypothyroidism and finds that it is at least as likely as not causally or etiologically related to her service. The Veteran submitted a private medical opinion establishing a positive nexus opinion for her hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's neck disability and chronic sinusitis have been granted service connection. The gynecological disability claim is remanded due to new evidence.,Back and thyroid nodule claims are also remanded.