Thyroid conditions, cancer, and goiters can all result in the need for full or partial thyroid removal. If you have a thyroid issue, you’ll want to understand VA disability for thyroid removal.
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Thyroid removal sounds frightening, and it is a major surgery. However, if you must have a thyroid gland removed due to a service-connected condition, the VA will compensate you for the surgery. This post explains the VA rating for thyroid removal and how you could be compensated after the surgery.
In this article about VA disability for thyroid removal:
What conditions lead to thyroid removal?
The thyroid gland is an organ located at the front base of your neck. It creates hormones that control many of your body’s functions, including those related to the digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.
A person may need surgery to remove their thyroid as part of treatment for a thyroid-related condition. This removal may be all of the thyroid (total), some of it (partial), or half of it (lobectomy).
A thyroidectomy may be necessary as a result of:
- Thyroid cancer. This is the most common reason for thyroid removal because the cancer often must be removed as part of treatment to keep it from spreading to other parts of the body.
- Hyperthyroidism. Otherwise known as an “overactive thyroid,” this condition is when your thyroid gland produces too much hormone. When you have this condition, you may choose to have all or part of the thyroid removed if you don’t respond well to other types of treatment like medication or iodine therapy.
- Hyperparathyroidism. This condition is when the glands right behind the thyroid, the parathyroid glands, produce too much hormone. Hyperparathyroidism may result in thyroid gland removal or partial removal to help correct the problem.
- Goiters. A goiter, or irregular growth on the thyroid, can be uncomfortable or cause the thyroid not to function properly. So, removing it and the part of the thyroid may sometimes be necessary.
- Thyroid nodules. Sometimes doctors can’t determine if nodules on the thyroid are cancerous or not, so they choose to remove them out of an abundance of caution.
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Veterans and thyroid removal
Veterans may develop some of the thyroid-related issues described above, including thyroid cancer, as a result of chemicals they were exposed to during their military service.
Studies show that exposure to certain flame retardants and pesticides, including Agent Orange, may cause thyroid conditions. Hypothyroidism, for example, is a presumptive condition of Agent Orange exposure. In addition, thyroid cancer is presumptively connected to ionizing radiation, making it a presumptive condition for atomic veterans, or those stationed in certain areas during specific times who were exposed to ionizing radiation from waste, weapons, or equipment.
Veterans can receive VA disability benefits for thyroid disorders. However, thyroid removal surgery is a separate treatment issue.
VA disability for thyroid removal
There is no specific VA rating for thyroid removal. However, the VA does provide a temporary 100% disability rating for surgery related to service-connected conditions. This benefit is designed to help veterans with their recovery.
Veterans are eligible for a temporary 100% rating for service-connected conditions that require surgery if the surgery results in severe issues such as surgical wounds that take a long time to heal, being required to use a wheelchair or crutches, or being unable to leave the house.
Thyroid removal is generally a safe procedure, but a thyroidectomy can sometimes result in medical issues like bleeding, infection, or low parathyroid hormone levels.
If your thyroid removal surgery results in one of these issues, or a different serious problem, the VA will compensate you at 100% for a period of time after surgery while you recover, depending on your individual needs. That would be [VArating100] a month. After that time, the VA would determine whether a new disability rating based on any residuals that might exist.
TDIU for thyroid removal
While it’s unlikely that thyroid removal itself will result in a veteran’s inability to work, serious thyroid conditions can cause symptoms like muscle weakness, cardiovascular complications, and mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. These issues can sometimes make it difficult to regularly show up to work.
For veterans who are unable to work due to a service-connected condition, total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits may be available. TDIU pays veterans the same monthly compensation as a 100% rating, even if their disability is less than 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- One service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How Woods & Woods can help
Woods & Woods has been fighting for people with injuries and disabilities since 1985. Our team of accredited VA disability lawyers, case managers, legal analysts, and intake specialists know the ins and outs of the VA so you don’t have to do all the hard work. Call us today for your free and confidential case evaluation.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no VA rating for thyroid removal, you can receive VA disability benefits for your service-connected thyroid condition, and you may also be eligible for a temporary 100% rating for a thyroidectomy that results in severe issues.
Yes, the VA does rate various thyroid conditions. The extent of that rating depends on the condition you’re diagnosed with and whether the VA service connects it.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
