Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The appeal is also remanded for VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as they are related to a deceased appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and inadequate opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, left knee condition, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.,Specifically, the Veteran's lumbar spine condition was rated at 20 percent, which is the minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5243 (pertaining to IVDS). Her right lower extremity radiculopathy was also rated at 20 percent. The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and hypoglycemia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thyroid cancer and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, bulging discs, status-post surgical residuals due to incomplete records and insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and thyroid condition due to exposure at Camp LeJeune. The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not substantially comply with the Board's directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, atrial fibrillation, bilateral plantar fasciitis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions in the record.

The Board denied service connection for hyperthyroidism and remanded the claims of service connection for Barrett's esophagus and a heart condition.,Service connection is sought for Barrett's esophagus, which has been conceded. The available evidence does not suggest an association between the condition and the Veteran's herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid nodules, finding that they are not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and hypothyroidism have been dismissed as the issues are no longer pending in the Legacy appeal system due to previous grants of service connection.

The Veteran's back disability, manifested by a compression fracture of T11-T12 and L1 vertebrae, was rated at 10 percent prior to November 20, 2013, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence against higher ratings due to lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism required continuous medication but did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not manifest cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement (including, but not limited to hypotension, bradycardia, and pericardial effusion), or mental disturbance (including, but not limited to dementia, slowing of thought and depression).

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and thyroid condition have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a thyroid disorder, lipoma of the left arm, cysts of the bilateral ovaries, and cysts of the bilateral breasts. The Veteran's thyroid disorder was diagnosed during the appeal period and may be related to in-service exposure to radiation from X-ray machines and/or X-ray film processing chemicals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid disorder manifested within one year of her separation from active duty, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition and hyperparathyroidism. The neck condition claim is denied, while the endocrine system claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism is granted a 30 percent rating, effective December 1, 2017. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is found to be the primary cause of his hypothyroidism. The hearing loss claim has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of thyroid cancer, finding that it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The decision was based on a review of medical research and studies provided by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid condition, including multinodular goiter, as it was not related to his active service exposure to mustard gas and/or ionizing radiation. The July 2023 VA medical examiner found that the condition was less likely than not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss does not meet the level required to be a disability for VA purposes.,The Board also denied service connection for residuals of a thyroidectomy, including as secondary to asbestos exposure. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's hypothyroidism to his in-service exposures.