Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, thyroid condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and heart condition due to incomplete VA treatment records and an inadequate April 2012 addendum opinion for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypothyroidism is granted. The claims for seborrheic dermatitis, GERD, esophagitis, liver disability (claimed as hepatitis A), and a disability of the ovaries status post cystectomy and oophorectomy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed disabilities, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and unspecified autoimmune disorder, which he contends are related to exposure to ionizing radiation at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's contention that his hypothyroidism is related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The claim will be further developed under special development procedures for claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypothyroidism and an initial compensable disability rating for constipation associated with her service-connected hypothyroidism due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic thyroiditis, also claimed as Hashimoto's disease, and secondary service connection to her hyperparathyroidism. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for TBI was granted. Service connection for TBI is denied.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypothyroidism are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unavailability of service records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms in service will be considered, as well as those of his buddy.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for other stressor-related disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, left hip arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, thyroid disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and gynecomastia. The claims are currently pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disability has been reopened and will be considered on the merits. The Board finds that new evidence submitted since April 2012 raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of hyperthyroidism was not reopened as there is no new and material evidence to support it.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's hypothyroidism, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Graves' disease as secondary to PTSD and increased evaluations for right and left knee disabilities due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities, including fatigue, back, right shoulder, cold injury, thyroid, and kidney conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no persuasive medical evidence of current disability or causation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is also remanded for sleep apnea, transient memory loss, and a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and 30 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a thyroid condition, including hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. The Veteran's attorney provided evidence suggesting her thyroid condition may be related to her military service, but VA treatment records show no diagnosis until after separation from active duty in 1995. A new examination is needed to determine if the condition began during or within one year of service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for thyroid cancer and lung cancer, both claimed to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The cause of death is also being remanded.,Additional development is needed to obtain an updated dose estimate based on recent DFTA reports regarding the Veteran's service at McMurdo Station.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed disabilities. The claims will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's thyroid disorder, including whether it is related to service or environmental exposures. Additional VA opinions are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism. The rating for the Veteran's hypothyroidism remains at 30 percent.