Thyroid disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA did not make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant private medical records, including from the Pine Bluff Arsenal. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hypothyroidism was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on its severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism prior to November 17, 2005 and from that date due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed esophageal disability, including its relationship to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a thyroid condition and a low back condition due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to post-service surgery, but it is unclear if this relates to in-service exposure. For the low back condition, there is no evidence of injury in service, and the Board finds that a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's service connection for hypothyroidism and PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 6, 2020. The Board also found that the earlier effective date of November 22, 2016, is warranted due to new evidence received in July 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, finding that new and relevant evidence was presented to warrant readjudication. The Veteran's hypothyroidism is considered as having manifested during active duty service. An initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 3, 2011 were denied as the earliest possible effective date is the date of receipt of her claim.,An earlier effective date for service connection was not granted due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for hypothyroidism is denied as there are no symptoms of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypothyroidism is not related to service connection due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient evidence for Agent Orange exposure. The claim will be remanded to obtain a TERA examination.

Service connection for thyroid cancer has been granted due to exposure to burn pits during service. The issue of sleep apnea is remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine its etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating for bone density and thyroid disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, neuropathy, and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran asserts exposure to herbicide agents during a secret mission in Korea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of zero percent for his hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Graves' disease. The earlier effective date claim was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it during the hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his hypertension and hypothyroidism, which are presumed due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The Board found that these conditions contributed substantially to the Veteran's death from dementia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and an internally inconsistent VA examination. The Veteran's representative requests a new VA thyroid examination.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims in the first instance as they have been reopened.