Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her conditions are not related to her military service, including vaccinations and exposure to the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her kidney disability, right knee disability, and thyroid disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cardiac condition is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for thyroid cancer is granted and remanded.

Your claim for service connection for hypothyroidism has been granted, but the issue is now closed as there are no remaining disputes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a retrospective medical opinion regarding hypothyroidism manifestations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for one or more daily injections of insulin and restricted diet.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a major extremity.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a minor extremity.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Erectile dysfunction is not compensably disabling.,Hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Sebaceous cyst of the thoracic area is not compensably disabling.,Hiatal hernia (previously rated as a chronic digestive condition) is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that diabetes did not contribute to his death and that there was no evidence linking herbicide exposure or other conditions to his thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid condition is reopened, and the appeal for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and asthma is remanded.

The Veteran's enlarged thyroid is remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's celiac disease is granted as secondary to PTSD, and a rating of 30 percent for hypothyroidism prior to August 22, 2017 is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid disability, and residuals of a head injury with headaches were all denied. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for abnormal pap smears showing atypical squamous cells, metaplasia, and HPV (now claimed as cervix and hysterectomy) was granted.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed hypothyroidism is attributable to post-service radioiodine ablation therapy for hyperthyroidism, and the evidence does not show a thyroid disorder was present during service or within one year of separation. The Board finds that service connection for a thyroid disability, including hypothyroidism, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has been granted.,Claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypothyroidism, which is related to service or secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB). The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met and grants the appeal.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism from November 4, 2009 onward is granted at a 60 percent rating. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to Graves' disease prior to November 4, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thyroid condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any other conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for hypothyroidism, a heart condition, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hypothyroidism.