Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to address whether the May 2012 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as the Veteran raised this issue in their appeal. The matter will be adjudicated by the AOJ first.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for hypothyroidism, which may be related to Gulf War exposure. The Veteran's claim will need a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism, finding that the evidence does not support the presence of fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may contain relevant information for his service connection claims.

The Veteran's thyroid disability, gout of the feet, IBS with hepatitis B, lumbosacral disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted. However, several issues remain unresolved and need further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and scarring alopecia have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for tension headaches due to a lack of evidence showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for stomach disability, to include GERD and duodenal ulcer, thyroid disability, essential tremors, COPD, skin disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for arthritis of the left shoulder, arthritis of the right shoulder, and a left knee disability. All other claims remain denied.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and a wasp sting residual face scar. Service connection is denied for anxiety disorder and insomnia. Hypothyroidism service connection is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and a heart disability, both of which are presumed to be due to in-service exposure to toxins while serving in the Persian Gulf. The AOJ is directed to obtain updated medical opinions addressing these issues based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions, exposure history, and potential causes.

The Veteran's left arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disorder.,Other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, left arm weakness, and memory loss due to additional development being required. The issues are related to direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.,Service connection for gout is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a prostate disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a kidney disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a left ankle disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as they are caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Effective dates prior to July 9, 2015, for bilateral hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for hypothyroidism from July 8, 2016 was denied. The current disability evaluation of 30 percent is considered appropriate based on the Veteran's symptoms including fatigue, mental sluggishness, problems with sleep, loss of concentration, and difficulty losing weight.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current thyroid disability, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of the radiation exposure claim. The Veteran's thyroid cancer is being reviewed, along with claims for radiation and radiofrequency exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied. The claim was granted on a presumptive basis under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there is no evidence showing the Veteran filed a claim within one year of his separation from active service in October 1967 or before May 3, 1989. The appeal for other conditions was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid nodule, including due to ionizing radiation exposure and chemical exposure. The issues of headaches and allergic rhinitis have been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thyroid condition, but remanded his claims for bilateral knee and intestinal conditions due to insufficient evidence.