Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for thyroid cancer before the Board could make a decision.

The Board previously denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's hypothyroidism, but a remand is required to consider new evidence and obtain a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his condition from September 14, 2020, to July 1, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and eye conditions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 14, 2014 to April 25, 2021. From April 26, 2021, the Veteran's combined rating is at least 60 percent due to his respiratory condition and other service-connected disabilities, which makes TDIU moot.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Grave's disease and hypothyroidism is remanded due to the need for an adequate etiology opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and active service, including exposure to iodine during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU, increased rating for psychiatric disorder prior to June 27, 2022, and service connection for thyroid condition. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in the claim and the need for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and hypothyroidism, but has remanded both cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for papillary thyroid cancer is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA will develop the claim and schedule an examination to determine if his thyroid cancer is related to exposure to radiation during his military service at Thule Air Base.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service dates and a need for clarification regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The claims for service connection are also pending, as no SOC has been issued.

The Board has found a duty to assist error in the August 2023 rating decision and has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board noted that without myxedema, a compensable rating requires six months of residual effects after initial diagnosis.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hypothyroidism was denied from December 22, 2021 to October 25, 2022. From October 26, 2022 onwards, the Veteran received a 70% disability rating.,The TDIU claim is also pending and requires further action.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be related to his service in the Korean DMZ due to herbicide exposure, and there is no evidence to rebut this presumption. Therefore, the claim for service connection for retroactive benefits is granted.

The Veteran's lower pole thyroid hyperfunctioning adenoma and hypertension have been granted restoration of ratings, with the thyroid condition receiving a full rating effective November 1, 2021. The hypertension has also received a full initial evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing hypothyroidism aggravated by service-connected sleep apnea syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes and hypothyroidism are being considered based on his exposure to chemicals during service, even if not herbicide agents as defined by regulation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of erectile dysfunction is denied.,The criteria for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ (SMC LOU) are not met.,The criteria for an effective date of September 22, 2018, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for hypothyroidism are met.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of initial compensable evaluation for tension headaches, service connection for hypothyroidism, and service connection for constipation (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism (claimed as Grave's disease) due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, finding that the presumption of service connection applies.