Thyroid disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, hypothyroidism, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is dismissed. The claims for higher ratings are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism with dry cracking skin is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's reported exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, MBC Twentynine Palms, and MCAS Cherry Point during service. The AOJ is required to attempt verification of these exposures.

The Board has found that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service is not established, and thus his claims for thyroid cancer (hypothyroidism), stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and bilateral lower extremity nerve damage are remanded due to a pre-decisional error in determining presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism with dry cracking skin is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his residuals of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, left lobe status post total thyroidectomy (also claimed as hypothyroidism) is being remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the appeal being in a parallel Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) appeal stream.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism is granted as it is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran was granted an initial 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism prior to December 13, 2023.,A compensable rating (30 percent) is denied for hypothyroidism from December 13, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for kidney disorder, neck disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), thyroid disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, left ankle disorder, and low back disorder as part of a previously pending appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the proposed decreases in ratings for various conditions and the propriety of discontinuing SMC benefits. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the DMZ of Korea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's papillary thyroid cancer is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for hypothyroidism from 10% to 100%, effective December 1, 2020, finding that there was insufficient evidence of material improvement in her condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid and neck conditions are related to his service, granting service connection for both.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for Alzheimer's disease and an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus. The appeal seeking review of the issue of entitlement to an increased initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is also dismissed as there was no prior adjudication of this claim.

Service connection for a right knee disability, dermatitis, and thyroid cancer has been granted due to new evidence received after the April 2020 denial. Service connection for GERD is remanded as secondary to tooth condition.,The Veteran's right knee disability had its onset in service, while his dermatitis began shortly after discharge from active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his hypothyroidism, finding that there was no evidence of debilitating fatigue or other signs and symptoms resulting in periods of incapacitation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her initial rating and compensable scar rating.

The Veteran's diagnosed hypothyroidism is etiologically related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.