Citation Nr: 21013183
Decision Date: 03/08/21	Archive Date: 03/08/21

DOCKET NO. 17-03 365
DATE: March 8, 2021

REMANDED

The issue of an initial rating higher than 60 percent, since August 1, 2016, for papillary thyroid cancer, with hypothyroidism and depression (thyroid cancer), is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from April 2005 to September 2005 and February 2009 to December 2009.   

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2015 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  

In January 2021, the Veteran presented testimony before the Board.

Prior to August 1, 2016, the Veteran was in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating; therefore, the Board will not address the issue of an initial higher rating prior to August 1, 2016. 

During the January 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that since 2016, she has been receiving continued VA treatment for hypothyroidism, to include having undergone blood work earlier that month.

Additionally, the Veteran testified that her hypothyroidism had remained somewhat the same since her last VA examination in September 2016; however, she indicated that she was fatigued, anxious, had dry skin, and was cold intolerant.

In this case, the Veteran was last afforded a VA examination in September 2016 and VA treatment records are only current through 2016. 

Accordingly, a remand is necessary to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected thyroid cancer, as her testimony suggested that her symptoms had worsened since her last VA examination in September 2016. 

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1.   Obtain outstanding VA treatment records since 2016.

2.   Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected thyroid cancer and depression.  All necessary tests should be conducted.  The claims file must be sent to the examiner for review.

 

 

JAMES L. MARCH

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. Castillo, Counsel

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.