Thyroid disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for right lateral epicondylitis, service connection for left arm disorder, migraine disorder, left elbow disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder), and thyroid disorder have been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew her appeals for these specific issues at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's noncompensable rating for his service-connected hypothyroidism is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered with a new evaluation based on the current severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's diabetes and its complications, as well as his hypertension and hypothyroidism. The claims for service connection are being addressed due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected hypothyroidism is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the prior or current versions of Diagnostic Code 7903.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension, with the latter being secondary to the former. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not a factor in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypothyroidism and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The record is incomplete as it does not include private treatment records from Dr. Gemma.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypothyroidism is denied as there are no findings, signs, symptoms, or residuals attributable to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a thyroid disability, respiratory disability, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability rated as 30 percent prior to June 6, 2003, and as 40 percent thereafter, to include on an extraschedular basis have been dismissed.,The RO reduced the Veteran's disability rating for renal dysfunction with hypertension from 30 percent to 0 percent effective April 20, 2022. The reduction was deemed improper.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is found to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current diagnosed conditions and his military service, including exposure to contamination or toxins. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that discontinuance of the 100 percent rating for hypothyroidism, effective December 1, 2019, was improper and granted restoration of the 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for hypothyroidism with dry skin of the lower extremities have been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for hyperthyroidism, thyroid eye disease, dry eye syndrome, GERD, and right shoulder strain. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of adequate reasons or bases for its decision. The Veteran's thyroid condition is being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service toxic exposures. The issues of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in failing to provide a fully adequate VA examination, specifically addressing the ameliorative effects of the appellant's hypothyroidism medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and hypothyroidism due to potential radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's claims will be further processed in accordance with VA procedures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, hypothyroidism, and hypertension, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to adjudicate service connection for hypothyroidism, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure or secondary to diabetes.