Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and for an opinion on whether his thyroid cancer is related to Agent Orange exposure. The RO must also schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to determine the etiology of his thyroid cancer.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with activities of daily living and protection from environmental hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism and recurrent UTIs are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have actual exposure to herbicides in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection for the cause of death due to arteriosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and hyperthyroidism.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, hypothyroidism, and hypogonadism were denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, status post-surgical resection, is presumed to have been incurred during active service due to symptoms manifesting within a year of discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The VA examination reports supported this conclusion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid disorder claimed as Graves' disease and remanded her claims of service connection for hysterectomy, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis in the hips and joints due to potential new evidence.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypothyroidism, right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, urinary incontinence, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability and arthritis, are not etiologically related to her periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for an annual clothing allowance, special home adaptation, and specially adapted housing are being remanded due to the need for further review by the Under Secretary for Health or designee regarding her service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back disability and TDIU remain in appellate status.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service and his fatal medullary thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thyroid disability and dysphagia/difficulty swallowing were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding no evidence of in-service exposure or manifestation of the condition within one year post-service. Service connection was not established on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions, specifically an undesirable discharge to escape trial by general court-martial. As a result, his character of discharge is considered a bar to receiving VA benefits for hyperthyroidism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Board found that thyroid cancer and Grave's disease are not associated with the Veteran's military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his low back pain, hypothyroidism, memory loss, fatigue, high blood pressure, bad vision, high cholesterol, and depression symptoms, and determining the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA opinion regarding non-ionizing radiation exposure. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.