Thyroid disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Effective dates for SMC will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma was dismissed because the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that the Veteran may have been exposed to toxic substances during his service, including RF radiation and asbestos. However, VA did not obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between these exposures and the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypothyroidism is granted on a facts-found basis prior to August 10, 2022, due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for post-surgical hypothyroidism, status post malignant neoplasm of the thyroid was denied as there is no evidence of myxedema and the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's widow is seeking substitution for the Veteran's claim, which was granted in October 2022. The Board finds that a remand is necessary as there was a pending claim at the time of the Veteran's death and any required action must be completed within the remaining appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid nodule, bilateral shoulder pain, and COPD. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hypothyroidism is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, specifically related to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date (EED) for service connection of thyroid cancer is granted, with the EED set at September 13, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, and hypothyroidism. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time his claims were filed.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypothyroidism, service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, lower back disability, upper neck disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. The reasons are that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's reported symptoms and potential aggravation of his conditions by his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (LLE PN), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (RLE PN), and thyroid cancer for further development. The Veteran's claims are related to his exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McClellan (FTMC) in Anniston, AL.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a bilateral ankle disability, and thyroid nodules with multinodular goiter as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a thyroid disability and hypertension, as the Veteran's assertions regarding these conditions are not fully addressed in the current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer with hypothyroidism was granted, and the effective date is set at March 12, 2019.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis is granted service connection, but his jaw condition, lumbar spine condition, bilateral hip condition, cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder condition, Gulf War illness, sleep disturbances, and headache condition are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board granted service connection for thyroid cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service is related to his condition.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for hypopituitarism and hypothyroidism was proper, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing these conditions were not due to or caused by service, including prostate cancer.