Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 14, 2018 due to insufficient information regarding his income during that period. The AOJ is instructed to verify and associate the Veteran's verified yearly income for years 2004 through 2009 with the claims file.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but additional development is necessary before a decision on the merits can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection for thyroid enlargement and weight gain are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed to be severe enough to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, but additional development is needed for the TDIU claim. For SMC based on need for aid and attendance, further examination is required as the Veteran has not been provided with such an evaluation.

The Veteran's tracheal lesions were a result of his service-connected heart disease. Service connection for the throat condition and colon condition is remanded due to open medical questions.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disability, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure during his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's breast cancer and thyroid cancer, as well as her current level of hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service lead exposure caused his current hypothyroidism.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to service, while hypothyroidism, vertigo (secondary to hypothyroidism), and granulomas in the lungs are remanded for further development.,Service connection is denied for COPD, tinnitus, and vertigo due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Hypothyroidism, vertigo (as secondary to hypothyroidism), and granulomas in the lungs remain under consideration.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is remanded for further investigation into potential radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Effective July 12, 2020, the Veteran is also eligible for SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, bilateral eye disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), headache disorder, thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's hypertension appeal is also remanded.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder, including residuals of right lobectomy, hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is granted as service connected. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition began during service.

The Board has remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's testimony indicating that his hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer post-surgery, prostate cancer, and thyroid disorder have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these appeals by the Veteran through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 28, 2017, for the award of special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance. The evidence did not show that the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for a retroactive payment of NSP or SMP benefits as of September 17, 2001, due to lack of evidence showing he was disabled in any way prior to March 28, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and its potential impact on his claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, neck disability, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.