Thyroid disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left trigger fingers was dismissed as the full benefit sought has been granted.,Service connection is granted for right trigger fingers, thumb and ring finger. The Board found that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for hypothyroidism and emphysema are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of hyperthyroidism due to a concurrent election issue, as the Veteran filed multiple duplicate claims and VA sought clarification. The April 2021 rating decision was considered spurious.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to aggravate her GERD, and the Board grants service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's initial maximum schedular rating of 10 percent for status post bunionectomy, right foot, is granted. Other service-connected conditions are not rated higher.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, earlier effective date for service connection for hypothyroidism, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism, and a TDIU prior to June 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including breast cancer and its residuals, thyroidectomy, left bicep scar (malignant melanoma), and basal cell carcinoma. The claims are based on the Veteran's alleged exposure to pesticides at Fort McClellan and malathion in the Panama Canal Zone.

The Board has decided that service connection for hyperthyroidism, related to exposure to herbicide agents during military service in Thailand, is denied. The case is being remanded due to a procedural error by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuity of symptoms over the past few years, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a TDIU from July 19, 2023 due to the grant of a combined 100 percent rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The appeal for a TDIU prior to July 19, 2023 is remanded as it may be eligible for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypothyroidism was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, heart condition, and hypothyroidism as there is no credible evidence of herbicide agent exposure in the Panama Canal Zone during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine strain and hypothyroidism, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its previous decision regarding the Veteran's hyperthyroidism and eye symptoms. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder to include TBI, and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The claim for restoration of the 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from March 29, 2016 was granted due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for Cushing's Disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypogonadism due to the Veteran's exposure to radiation during military service. The conditions are secondary to his primary disability, Cushing's Disease.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, excessive weight gain, and neck scar was denied. The claim for service connection for excessive weight gain was also denied as obesity per se is not a disability. The rating for the neck scar remains at noncompensable.