Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, but denied an earlier effective date as the Veteran's claim was received after the January 1, 2021 enactment of the law adding hypothyroidism to covered diseases.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and hypothyroidism due to a failure to seek certain medical records from VA and private providers.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypothyroidism disability, hypoparathyroidism disability, and thyroid cancer. The claims are being remanded to allow for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and her military service, including exposure at Fort McClellan. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether each condition had its onset in service or is related to such exposure.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypothyroidism and a kidney condition. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they significantly restrict his movements, impair his ability to focus on work tasks, and cause frequent bathroom breaks.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypothyroidism is denied as there are no signs or symptoms of the condition, and thus no compensable evaluation can be assigned.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and asthma, due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism is related to his service, specifically during Desert Storm in 1988-1993. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on both periods of service.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for hypothyroidism because it was granted in a previous rating decision, and no further review is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lymphedema caused by cellulitis, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of March 9, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypothyroidism. The case will be reviewed with additional evidence, including National Guard service dates, and new medical opinions will need to consider the total exposure through all applicable military deployments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment on and prior to January 11, 2023. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also established.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a proposed reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for hypothyroidism from 100 to 0 percent because it was not an appealable final decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal for sinusitis and granted service connection for thyroid disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), kidney condition, bilateral hip condition, thyroid condition, and gastrointestinal condition are all granted. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition is remanded.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from February 4, 2019. The thyroid disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thyroid nodular disease, goiter, unspecified neck pain, and hypothyroidism due to their potential relationship with active service or periods of ACDUTRA.

The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, heart condition, hypothyroidism, migratory inflammatory arthritis of the elbows, wrists, fingers, thumbs, hips, and knees, as well as left and right shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,Service connection was not granted because there is no medical evidence showing that any of the claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent muscle aches and fevers (previously characterized as malaria) and for compensable initial evaluation for hypothyroidism are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of medical opinions.