Question:

I am 100% with special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound, this is after having prostate percentage lowered to 20% but able to keep the SMC. I have many other chronic condition some service connected. My question is: With hypothyroidism added to the Agent Orange presumptive list, should I file a claim? I have had the left side thyroid removed 7 years ago at VA and have a diagnose of hypothyroidism for about 2 years from an outside provider. I realize that there is probably no monetary involved but thought I would ask. Thanks

Jim's Reply:

In many cases similar to yours I vote no...don't bother. I do that usually when the potential rating won't have any future influence on your health or ratings that I can predict. For example, superficial scarring after an operation may add 10% to a rating but nothing else.
 

Hypothyroidism can be a tough disease though. Your thyroid gland has an effect on almost every other function of your body, particularly in the production and regulation of insulin. As a Vietnam veteran you know about diabetes and your increased chances of having a difficult case to manage because of your agent orange exposure. Having hypothyroidism makes all that even more complex.
 

Knowing that you may eventually have secondary conditions related to hypothyroidism, it would be prudent to go ahead and file for the service connection today and have that established in case there are future complications. Good luck.