Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Board has found a duty to assist error in the August 2023 rating decision and has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board noted that without myxedema, a compensable rating requires six months of residual effects after initial diagnosis.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hypothyroidism was denied from December 22, 2021 to October 25, 2022. From October 26, 2022 onwards, the Veteran received a 70% disability rating.,The TDIU claim is also pending and requires further action.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be related to his service in the Korean DMZ due to herbicide exposure, and there is no evidence to rebut this presumption. Therefore, the claim for service connection for retroactive benefits is granted.

The Veteran's lower pole thyroid hyperfunctioning adenoma and hypertension have been granted restoration of ratings, with the thyroid condition receiving a full rating effective November 1, 2021. The hypertension has also received a full initial evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing hypothyroidism aggravated by service-connected sleep apnea syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes and hypothyroidism are being considered based on his exposure to chemicals during service, even if not herbicide agents as defined by regulation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of erectile dysfunction is denied.,The criteria for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ (SMC LOU) are not met.,The criteria for an effective date of September 22, 2018, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for hypothyroidism are met.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of initial compensable evaluation for tension headaches, service connection for hypothyroidism, and service connection for constipation (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism (claimed as Grave's disease) due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, finding that the presumption of service connection applies.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for right lateral epicondylitis, service connection for left arm disorder, migraine disorder, left elbow disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder), and thyroid disorder have been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew her appeals for these specific issues at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's noncompensable rating for his service-connected hypothyroidism is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered with a new evaluation based on the current severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's diabetes and its complications, as well as his hypertension and hypothyroidism. The claims for service connection are being addressed due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected hypothyroidism is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the prior or current versions of Diagnostic Code 7903.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension, with the latter being secondary to the former. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not a factor in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypothyroidism and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The record is incomplete as it does not include private treatment records from Dr. Gemma.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypothyroidism is denied as there are no findings, signs, symptoms, or residuals attributable to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a thyroid disability, respiratory disability, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability rated as 30 percent prior to June 6, 2003, and as 40 percent thereafter, to include on an extraschedular basis have been dismissed.,The RO reduced the Veteran's disability rating for renal dysfunction with hypertension from 30 percent to 0 percent effective April 20, 2022. The reduction was deemed improper.