Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including renal disease with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, have resulted in a combined rating of at least 80 percent since May 2011, and currently 90 percent. The Board has granted TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. However, the Board denied service connection for a thyroid disability as there is no evidence of any endocrine disorder in service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for thyroid cancer, finding that the Veteran's service-connected thyroid cancer is currently in full remission with no evidence of any residual conditions or recurrence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability/hypothyroidism, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and a thyroid disability, including thyroid benign follicular adenoma and/or micropapillary carcinoma of the right thyroid. The decision found that the Veteran's preexisting hypothyroidism clearly and unmistakably existed prior to her active service and was not aggravated by her service.,The Board also noted that there is no evidence linking the current thyroid disabilities (adenoma and cancer) to the Veteran's active service, including exposure to herbicides or pesticides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing records, need for additional VA medical opinions, and other development needs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism, finding that there is no evidence of a causal link between the two conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for hyperthyroidism, finding that the new evidence did not relate to a possible link between his current condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer and esophageal cancer, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of acromioclavicular separation, left shoulder, and TDIU prior to January 30, 2012. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and therefore, the case is being returned to the RO for further development. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to inadequate posthumous retrospective medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, rash on hand, plantar fasciitis or pes planus, and thyroid with weight issues before the Board could review them.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of diagnoses.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection, including those related to herbicide exposure, as the Veteran's representative withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil, hypothyroidism secondary to cancer treatment, and hypogeusia (diminished sense of taste) due to radiation therapy. The issues related to fibrosis of the neck, dysphagia, and caries due to dry mouth are remanded.

The Veteran's heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is remanded for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded because the medical opinion did not adequately address whether it was caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's kidney disorder is remanded as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's thyroid disorder is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion regarding its relationship with service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 4, 2008 for the grant of service connection for hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer residuals. The Veteran's initial claim was received more than one year after her separation from active duty.,An effective date before October 5, 2015 for Dependents’ Educational Assistance benefits is denied as there is no permanent total service-connected disability prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her in-service injuries and exposure. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records, including those from her reserve component time, and seek clarification on any reported exposure to pollution or toxins.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a TBI and hypothyroidism due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has vacated the October 2019 decision and remanded the claim for a compensable rating for thyroidectomy. The Veteran's hypothyroidism was rated under Diagnostic Code 7903, but the November 2018 VA examination report did not consider all symptoms attributable to the condition.