Thyroid disorder decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease, finding that the evidence did not support a causal link to radiation exposure during service.

The Board has found the February 2019 VA examination and subsequent April 2019 VA addendum medical opinion to be inadequate for purposes of adjudicating the Veteran's claims on appeal. The Board finds an addendum medical opinion must be obtained to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error prior to deciding the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to service, including his weight gain during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is required to provide new medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. The claims for OSA, anemia, and thyroid disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 24, 2008 due to her service-connected disabilities not preventing her from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypothyroidism, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for thyroidectomy and malignant neoplasm of the thyroid, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to petrochemicals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for status post thyroid goiter removal and diabetes mellitus II are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. A VA examination is needed to determine if the conditions are related to service, including exposure to chemicals.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and interstitial cystitis due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypothyroidism, finding that the most persuasive evidence does not support a finding of myxedema or mental disturbance.

The appeal for service connection of a sleep disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded several other claims, including those for psychiatric disabilities, thyroid conditions, hair loss, and nerve disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to hazardous materials during service, particularly AFFF and lead paint. The claims are now pending again with instructions to prepare an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) and obtain further opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and hypothyroidism due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service or direct causation.

The Veteran's request for review of the October 2019 SOC was untimely, and his appeal is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure and no intercurrent causes. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for hypothyroidism, GERD, sinusitis, migraine headaches, left little finger condition, or left hand scar.,The Veteran's right ankle condition, right ankle lateral reconstructive surgery, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and PTSD are all remanded as the evidence is insufficient to make a determination on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thyroid and food allergy disabilities that are secondary to medication used for bronchitis and asthma, as these conditions have not been adequately addressed in previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, thyroid condition, and acid reflux as there is no probative evidence showing that these conditions began during his active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, depression, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insomnia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbago, right shoulder arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to its inextricability with a separate decision on service connection for thyroid cancer. The Veteran's hypothyroidism is being examined to determine if it is related to his thyroid cancer and/or exposure to herbicide agents.