The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, just below the “Adam’s apple,” It’s part of the endocrine system, produces thyroid hormones, controls how sensitive your body is to other hormones, regulates the production of proteins, and regulates how your body uses energy.
Thyroid disorders can affect your health in a number of ways. Some veterans may be experiencing a type of thyroid dysfunction called hypothyroidism, which is often linked to chemical exposure or iodine deficiency. There is also increasing evidence that hypothyroidism is linked to Agent Orange exposure.
While it can be difficult to obtain service connection, veterans living with hypothyroidism may be eligible for benefits through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. And recently, there have been great news for Vietnam veterans suffering from hypothyroidism now that it’s been added to the Agent Orange presumptive list of conditions.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Thyroid dysfunction comes in three “flavors:” hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer and they’re all bad.
Hypothyroidism can simply be thought of as “not enough thyroid,” or underactive thyroid causing low hormone levels, and can have severe repercussions on many different bodily functions, which can easily cause secondary health problems For instance, one of the most well-known symptoms of hypothyroidism is obesity, which can cause a whole host of cardiovascular and even orthopedic problems.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Muscle weakness
- Cold intolerance
- Constipation
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Depression
- Memory issues
- Increased cholesterol
- Slowed heart rate
- Thyroid enlargement
- Altered body temperature
- And more
Hyperthyroidism, also referred to as “Graves disease,” can be thought of as “too much thyroid” or an overactive thyroid. While you can take synthetic thyroid substitutes to improve hypothyroidism, often the only medical treatment for hyperthyroidism is to flood the thyroid with radioactive iodine, which induces hypothyroidism.
Thyroid cancer can also lead to the removal of the thyroid, and will also lead to hypothyroidism. So, in the long run, most people with thyroid problems will develop hypothyroidism.
Service Connection for Hypothyroidism
For years, many veterans had difficulty getting their thyroid-related disability service connected. However, thanks to a recent update to the Agent Orange presumptive list of conditions, hypothyroidism is now presumed to be connected to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. If VA denied your claim in the past for hypothyroidism, they will automatically review your case again so check your mail because they usually send a letter. If not, give them a call!
Additionally, there are many chemicals that can cause hypothyroidism, including solvents (including TCE/trichloroethylene), radiation, lead, ammonium perchlorate (rocket/missile propellant), perfluoroalkyl acid (AFFF Foam), pesticides, chlorine dioxide (water disinfectant), heavy metals, benzopyrene (in JP-4 and other exhausts), dioxins (TCDD, in Agent Orange and burn pits), coal smoke, and wood preservatives (burn pits.)
Hypothyroidism and Agent Orange
Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during military service may have later developed serious health conditions. The VA has a list of conditions that are presumed to be caused by Agent Orange. If a Vietnam veteran meets certain eligibility requirements and has one of these conditions, they are automatically awarded service connection to receive VA disability benefits.
The newly updated list of presumptive diseases now includes:
- Hypothyroidism
- Bladder cancer
- Parkinsonism (different from Parkinson’s disease)
- Chronic B-cell leukemia
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
- Respiratory cancers (including lung cancer)
- Some soft tissue sarcomas
- AL amyloidosis
- Chloracne
- Diabetes mellitus type 2
- Ischemic heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy (early onset)
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
VA recognizes hypothyroidism linked to Agent Orange
Hypothyroidism wasn’t among this list of conditions for decades, however, thanks to evidence demonstrating a link between hypothyroidism and Agent Orange, the VA has now amended and updated their Agent Orange presumptive list of conditions.
Now that it’s official, Vietnam veterans with hypothyroidism can obtain necessary service-connected compensation for their disability.
For decades, veterans groups advocated for this change and they’ve finally gotten it; we just hope it wasn’t too late.
Secondary Service Connection for Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can be secondary to several different disorders, most notably any disorder that disrupts the regulation of iodine in the body and also pituitary gland problems. Some medications such as lithium, amiodarone (Cordarone), and carbamazepine have been shown to induce thyroid problems. Other classes of drugs that have been suspected of affecting thyroid disease are antidepressants, drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis, hepatitis, and some drugs used in chemotherapy.
Surprisingly, veterans with PTSD are up to EIGHT times more likely to suffer from thyroid dysfunction. I’ve written before on how the immune system and the neurological system are inextricably linked, and immune problems that can be related to thyroid function, like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, or even Gulf War Syndrome, may all be different expressions of the same underlying immune problems or processes.
Have Questions About Your VA Claim for Hypothyroidism?
Proving connection between your hypothyroidism and military service can be challenging, even if you’re receiving treatment from a health care provider. However, there may still be a path to VA benefits and disability compensation.
The team at Hill & Ponton is here to support veterans in their VA claims for disability benefits. If you’re a veteran suffering from hypothyroidism connected to military service, our attorneys can assess your case, provide legal advice on the VA appeals process, and represent you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
