Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for hypertension or hyperthyroidism due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The skin disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected status post residuals of a thyroidectomy with exophthalmos and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been rated at 100 percent since the appeal was initiated, based on symptoms including cold intolerance, muscular weakness, mental disturbance (depression), and sleepiness.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from Social Security Administration and VA Vocational Rehabilitation Education.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including notification to the Veteran of what evidence is needed to reopen her claims and a VA examination to determine the etiology of her osteoporosis.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current thyroid condition, including Graves' disease, and her service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting thyroid disorder did not increase in severity during service and provided clear and unmistakable evidence of this. The condition was not aggravated by service, and there is no new onset or worsening of the condition during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid removal was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it shown to be due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperthyroidism, heart disease, gouty arthritis, and kidney disability were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multinodular goiter with prominent nodule associated with radiation exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records related to his alleged radiation exposure.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder, which includes both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, has been rated at 30 percent since April 1, 2008. The Board found that the condition warranted this rating based on symptoms such as fatigue, occasional tremors, high blood pressure, weight gain, shortness of breath, and upper extremities paresthesia.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his hypothyroidism did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent. The appeals were therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and thyroid disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hypothyroidism and Raynaud's syndrome were granted, but the Veteran seeks higher initial ratings. The Board found that an initial 30 percent rating is warranted for hypothyroidism due to symptoms of fatigability, a continuing requirement for Synthroid(r), complaints of constipation, complaints of memory loss, and weight gain. For Raynaud's syndrome, the evidence did not show characteristic attacks occurring one to three times per week, which would warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for autoimmune thyroid disease and pancreatic disorder, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and her claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, mental stress, and varicose veins as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active or reserve service.

The Board found that the veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation during active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred as a result of service.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence linking the deep venous thrombosis and infection directly to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery calcifications and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for hypothyroidism. The Veteran's coronary artery calcifications are attributable to service, while his hypothyroidism is currently manifested by continuous medication required for control.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding whether the veteran experienced symptoms of hyperthyroidism or any other thyroid disability in service. The case will be returned for further review.