The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for hypothyroidism, Bell's palsy with right side incomplete paralysis of the fifth and seventh cranial nerves, tracheostomy and biopsy scars of the neck, and vocal cord paralysis. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hypothyroidism and Bell's palsy were also remanded.
The deciding factor: The effective dates are not earlier than July 16, 2019 as there was no intent to file within a year of this date and the claim was filed on time. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under DCs for hypothyroidism and Bell's palsy.
- Claimed conditions
- hypothyroidism, Bell's palsy with right side incomplete paralysis of the fifth cranial nerve, Bell's palsy with right side incomplete paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve, tracheostomy and biopsy scars of the neck, vocal cord paralysis status post thyroplasty and tracheostomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24030427
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A24030427.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hypothyroidism is denied, and the Board finds that service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral foot condition should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypothyroidism and therefore denied their claim for service connection.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis with complications, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiencies, memory/cognitive impairment, unexplained arthralgias, fatigue, hair loss, and bradycardia.
- Granted
The appellant is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective September 1, 2020.
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