Chemical Exposure and Thyroid Disabilities in Veterans

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, just below the “Adam’s apple.”  It controls how sensitive your body is to other hormones, regulates the production of proteins, and regulates how your body uses energy.

Thyroid disfunction can affect your health in a number of ways. Some veterans may be experiencing a type of thyroid disfunction called hypothyroidism, which is often linked to chemical exposure. 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. Congress will also soon be voting on a bill to add hypothyroidism to the list of presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange, which could be great news for Vietnam veterans.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Thyroid dysfunction comes in three “flavors:” hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer.

Hypothyroidism can simply be thought of as “not enough thyroid,” and can have severe repercussions on many different bodily functions, which can easily cause secondary disabilities. 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 this health condition include:

• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Muscle weakness
• Sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Weight gain
• Puffy face
• Hoarseness
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Thinning hair
• Depression
• Memory issues
• Increased cholesterol
• Slowed heart rate
• Enlarged thyroid
• And more

Hyperthyroidism, also referred to as “Graves disease” can be thought of as “too much thyroid.”  While you can take synthetic thyroid substitutes to improve hypothyroidism, often the only 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 end up with hypothyroidism.

Service Connection for Hypothyroidism

Many veterans have difficulty getting their thyroid-related disability service-connected. However, 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 disability benefits.

This list of presumptive diseases includes:

• 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

Is the VA going to recognize hypothyroidism being linked to Agent Orange?

As you can see, hypothyroidism isn’t among this list of conditions. However, evidence has demonstrated a link between this disease and the herbicide Agent Orange. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published a review of scientific evidence on this topic, moving both hypothyroidism and bladder cancer into the “limited or suggestive” evidence category from the “inadequate or insufficient” evidence category.

And congress may soon confirm this link.

The Senate and House of Representatives will soon be voting on the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act, which would expand the list of Agent Orange presumptive conditions to include hypothyroidism, as well as bladder cancer, hypertension, and Parkinsonism. Senator Jon Tester of Montana introduced the bill as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.

If enacted, Vietnam veterans could obtain necessary compensation for their medical conditions.

Veterans groups have been advocating for this change, as it could be a victory for Vietnam era service members.

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 in 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 disability compensation.

The team at Hill & Ponton is here to support veterans in their claims for disability benefits. If you’re a veteran suffering from hypothyroidism connected to military service, our attorneys can assess your case and represent you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.