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I Am A Viet Nam Vet Trying To Get Disability

Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2020

Question: I am a Viet Nam vet trying to get disability rating for my Hypothyroidism, which i am sure is caused by Dioxin (agent orange) so am trying to get info. and statements to back that up. The VA has asked me for evidence regarding the possibility of a link between the disease and AO. Do you have any information on this? Thanks a bunch. XXXXXXX Price

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (0 minute later)

I am a Viet Nam vet trying to get disability rating for my Hypothyroidism, which i am sure is caused by Dioxin (agent orange) so am trying to get info. and statements to back that up. The VA has asked me for evidence regarding the possibility of a link between the disease and AO. Do you have any information on this? Thanks a bunch. XXXXXXX Price

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.Barani,

Previously hypothyroidism was listed under inadequate or insufficient evidence category.
But now it has been moved to limited or suggestive evidence category linking it to exposure to agent orange.

You can go through the following links -

https://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/home/topics/thyroid/agent-orange-herbicide-linked-to-hypothyroidism-and-bladder-cancer/

https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2016/03/latest-and-final-biennial-review-of-health-problems-that-may-be-linked-to-agent-orange-exposure-during-vietnam-war

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/0000/

Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (11 hours later)

yes thank you I have those sites, I guess was looking more for a Dr. statement explaining how the chemical Dioxin (agent orange) can affect the Thyroid, and why agent orange can be at fault. I hope I am explaining it better.

Thanks XXXXXXX

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Dioxin affects thyroid function through the following mechanisms -

1. Thyroid hormones are under control of the hypothalamo–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis. Reduction of circulating thyroxine (T4) is compensated for by release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary, which in turn stimulates the thyroid to produce more hormones. Dioxin disrupt the HPT axis, decreasing thyroxine levels and causing hypothyroidism

2. Concentration of thyroid hormone transport proteins may be affected by dioxins

3. Dioxin has been shown to competitively displace T4 from transthyretin, a T4 transport protein, possibly resulting in increased elimination of the thyroid hormone

All these result in hypothyroidism.
Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (10 hours later)

that helps, if you think it is so would you write a statement attributing my Hypothyroidism could be caused by Dioxin. The phrase “at least as likely as not” is the legal phrase that is needed for VA to award service-connection for a particular disability based on the “Benefit of the Doubt” when an IMO should be the deciding factor in the evidence of record.
Thank You
XXXXXXX

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You can take a print of this page and submit it.
Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T