WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your hypothyroidism (also called hypothyroidism, thyroid, underactive thyroid, hypothyroid), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected hypothyroidism commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (hypothyroidism) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
Low thyroid hormone is a well-known cause of depression and low mood; VA recognizes depression secondary to hypothyroidism.
What you'd need: A mental-health diagnosis, thyroid labs (TSH), and a nexus opinion connecting the two.
Hypothyroid-driven weight gain and tissue changes can worsen obstructive sleep apnea in some veterans.
What you'd need: A sleep study, thyroid labs, and a nexus opinion tying the apnea's aggravation to the thyroid condition.