Thyroid disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of kidney cancer and thyroid cancer, both linked to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The remand includes seeking an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions in light of the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) report on Veterans and Agent Orange Updates. Additionally, a TERA-specific opinion is required under the PACT Act for each claimed disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, hypothyroidism, colon disability, and eye disability due to inadequate VA opinions and failure to obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, rectal cancer, and hypothyroidism are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service on the U.S.S. Preble in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, to include as due to exposure to water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board also denied service connection for depression, as secondary to thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's testicular disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer, effective August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his dyslipidemia and other disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism has been dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a prior decision, and the issue is moot. The Board also remanded the secondary service connection claim for skin rash.

The Board has found that further development is needed due to the Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, a head disorder including a head scar, migraine headaches, and a thyroid disorder. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his military service, specifically exposure at Camp LeJeune where he drank contaminated water.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and missing medical records. The Veteran's hypothyroidism and related conditions need further evaluation, including an in-person examination by a clinician.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and hyperthyroidism (including vitiligo, constipation, and exophthalmos) are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a thyroid condition, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension. The evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of an eye disorder related to service exposure. The Veteran's current eye conditions are more likely due to aging.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia disorder, anxiety disorder, and hypothyroidism. The decision is based on the direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current thyroid cancer is at least as likely as not due to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus service connection for thyroid cancer is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions, including Bell's Palsy and residuals of a total hysterectomy. Service connection claims were also remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted with initial evaluations of 30 percent each.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for various conditions and rating issues, leading to the dismissal of all related matters.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act. The decision is based on private medical opinions supporting these findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of thyroid cancer is etiologically related to toxic exposure while in active service, and therefore grants service connection for thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the evidence.