Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for hyperthyroidism, peptic ulcer disease, PO, and removal, lower part of stomach was incorrect due to a failure to obtain VA etiological opinions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of an epididymal cyst to the left testicle and residuals of a circumcision for phimosis have been granted. However, his claims for diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and thyroid disorder remain denied.

The Veteran's initial rating claim for hypothyroidism was denied. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension and service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to hypertension were remanded due to the failure to consider VA treatment records from 2014-2020 and a lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence submitted when the claim is readjudicated.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, previously rated as hypothyroidism with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is granted a rating of 50 percent for the period from August 22, 2022 to August 4, 2023. A higher rating is denied for the period after that.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a TDIU prior to August 25, 2022 was denied due to the severity, frequency, and duration of his PTSD symptoms not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer and residual hypothyroidism are granted as service-connected on a direct basis due to herbicide exposure during his time at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism due to exposure to an herbicide agent, but remanded the issue of service connection for thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal because it is a duplicate of an earlier AMA appeal seeking the same benefits, and thus violates the prohibition of concurrent AMA elections.

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal cancer and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, finding that exposure to toxic pollutants from incinerators during active duty is related to these conditions. The PACT Act presumption applies due to the Veteran's top-secret work at the ASA Field Station in Germany.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence received since his last rating decision, including testimony from a recent hearing. The claims for bowel disorder, fertility disorder, headache disorder, hypertension, hypothyroidism, bilateral hip disability, and vision disorder are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD, do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and they were granted service connection for all the disabilities pending in this appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns about informed consent and potential additional disabilities resulting from VA medical care.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is remanded due to the VA examiner not considering his July 2021 lay statement and symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypothyroidism was denied as the evidence did not show myxedema or any other compensable residual signs or symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents, but dismissed the claims for hypothyroidism and readjudication of right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 31, 2012, for the award of service connection for hypothyroidism is granted. The Veteran also receives a 10 percent rating prior to December 10, 2017, and a 30 percent rating effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, hypertension, a respiratory disability, and hematuria due to Gulf War Undiagnosed Illness. The Veteran's symptoms have not been diagnosed during service or post-service records, and additional examinations are needed.