Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, thyroid disorder, and diabetes mellitus are granted. The claim for service connection of the thyroid disorder and diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for diverticulitis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development.,Further examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diverticulitis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for ozone vulnerability residuals, narcolepsy, allergic rhinitis, hyperthyroidism, and vision problems have been reopened.,Service connection has not been granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, bilateral knee and foot conditions, left ear hearing loss, an eye condition (dry eye syndrome), a skin condition (psoriasis), a thyroid condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left parapharyngeal space mass, a salivary gland disorder, and bilateral tenosynovitis of the wrists.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending due to remand orders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions (acquired psychiatric disorder, heart condition, liver condition, and thyroid condition) have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which is currently service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection for hypothyroidism was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability and associated sciatic and femoral radiculopathy were not granted higher ratings, with a maximum rating of 40 percent assigned.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, polyps on thyroid, and cysts on kidneys due to lack of current diagnoses.

Service connection for hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea is granted. Service connection for hyperthyroidism is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted on a presumptive basis due to the PACT Act. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify exposure to burn pits, which may be relevant to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypothyroidism.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, cervical spine disorder, back disorder (likely thoracolumbar spine), carpal tunnel syndrome, and vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension was previously denied a compensable rating, and the Board has remanded for further development.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism claim is also remanded as part of an intertwined TDIU issue. The Board directed to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% from January 31, 2015.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 100% from January 31, 2015.,The Veteran's Addison's disease with hypothyroidism, hypotestosteronism, and growth hormone deficiency is rated at 60% from January 31, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to deficiencies in prior VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypothyroidism and malignant neoplasm of the thyroid. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperparathyroidism and a right wrist disability, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of tinnitus and granted a 100% disability rating for hypothyroidism prior to April 3, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether service connection for sleep apnea is warranted, including considering if it is secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from February 1, 2018 to July 27, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for the left mandible disability from June 24, 2015 to January 5, 2020, or any rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Service connection was also denied for thyroid and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, and headaches due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.