Thyroid disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for Graves' disease and hypothyroidism as secondary to Graves' disease, both due to herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for SMC(k) based on loss of use of a creative organ was granted with an effective date of October 3, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating for hypothyroidism and related conditions (including erectile dysfunction, xerosis, and hair loss) was denied.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and thyroid disability. The appeal was based on evidence showing these conditions were due to exposure to toxins and chemicals during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and for hypothyroidism due to a lack of adequate medical opinions. The Veteran died from vascular dementia, which may or may not be related to his toxic exposure risk activity at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism s/p partial thyroidectomy, finding that it is related to his exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service. The condition was presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her bilateral knee disabilities, hypothyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, and hypothyroidism due to potential errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The VA examinations need to be corrected.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes, diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities, hypertension, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer are granted. Service connection is also granted for loss of use of the left foot due to diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD and service connection for hyperthyroidism is remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may support these claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for throat cancer, difficulty swallowing, and thyroid conditions from June 13, 2012. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be more nearly approximating the criteria for a constant inability to speak above a whisper (throat cancer), moderate stricture (difficulty swallowing), and continuous medication required for control (thyroid condition).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypothyroidism is not related to his military service and denied the claim. The ischemic heart disease with cardiac pacemaker case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and a surgical chest scar have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating for either condition.,No compensable ratings were assigned as there was no evidence of myxedema, painful or unstable scars, or underlying soft tissue damage.

The Veteran's dementia is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is granted as service-connected based on presumptive exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any past or present condition to service.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate gland disability, hypothyroidism, right knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to procedural errors in the development process.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings of migraine headaches, but has remanded the claim of service connection for a thyroid mass due to potential exposure to toxic substances during service.,Additional development is needed to determine which TERA the Veteran participated in and whether there are etiological connections between the thyroid mass and confirmed TERAs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic glomerulonephritis, kidney failure, hyperparathyroidism, and hypertension as these conditions are not shown to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, as the evidence supports that the condition is related to this exposure.