Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and review.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability (Chronic Adjustment Disorder).,The matter of whether the Veteran's Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (manifesting as memory loss) is secondary to his newly service-connected psychiatric disability will be submitted for review.,The Board has remanded several claims related to sleep apnea and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia and surgical scar.,Several skin disorder claims are being reviewed, including whether they are secondary to exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is also being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,Several other claims are being remanded, including those related to sleep apnea, memory loss, skin disorders, heart disorder, sinus disorder, left shoulder disorder, gout, knee disorder, leg disorder, visual disorder, prostate disorder, foot disorder, and thyroid disorder.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The eye disability, adrenal gland tumor, and tumor neoplasm of the right side are not service-connected as they were not shown during service or related to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for left inguinal hernia due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service, including ionizing radiation exposure. Service connection was granted for hypothyroidism based on presumed service connection due to radiation exposure during active duty.,Service connection for left inguinal hernia is denied as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to service or ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the condition and active duty, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and levator dehiscence of the left eye, as well as his request for TDIU prior to September 21, 2012, have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service or to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been rated at 100 percent since the onset of her condition, with symptoms including cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement (bradycardia), mental disturbance (depression and memory impairment), fatigue, and weight loss. The Board granted a higher rating based on these findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypothyroidism and lung cancer due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for thyroid disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to issues with the evidentiary development, including a need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypothyroidism is secondary to her PCOS. The current VA medical opinion did not consider all relevant studies and evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for thyroid cancer has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence was received after a final decision, allowing the reopening of this claim.,Service connection is being remanded for variously diagnosed heart disability (including pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid valve regurgitation), variously diagnosed skin disability (Chloracne), bilateral hearing loss disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeal will be returned to the Board after completion of development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a variety of skin disabilities is being remanded due to lack of evidence related to exposure to herbicide agents. Further examination may be required to determine if any current skin disability is related to military service.

The reduction from 100 percent to 10 percent for the evaluation of status post hypothyroidism with radioactive treatment for hyperthyroidism is proper, and restoration is denied.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for interstitial lung disease, OSA, and hypothyroidism associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The case is REMANDED to determine if a compensable evaluation can be assigned for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and whether entitlement to TDIU prior to January 30, 2012, should be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions provided are insufficient to adjudicate the claims and requires additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection for various conditions, including polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), kidney condition, bilateral hip condition, thyroid condition, and gastrointestinal condition (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence and conflicting medical opinions. The issues include hypothyroidism, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected hypothyroidism and its sequelae is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's initial 30% disability rating for service-connected hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service and a need for an examination to determine if his hyperparathyroidism is related to service, including any potential exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hyperparathyroidism is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected nephrolithiasis. A new VA medical opinion from an endocrinologist is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's pituitary microadenoma and associated conditions have been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of myxedema, weight gain, or other specific symptoms required for higher ratings.