Sarcoidosis decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination. The issues include seeking increased ratings for uveitis, arthritis at L4-5, and systemic sarcoidosis.

The Board granted an increased rating for the veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis and asthmatic bronchitis from 30 percent to 60 percent, effective as of July 2000.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis, which was previously denied in May 1994. The veteran is now seeking to establish service connection for her current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability evaluation for residuals of a right eye pterygium and for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support granting either claim.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his pulmonary disabilities, which include asthma and sarcoidosis. The RO has determined that these conditions pre-existed his period of active duty for training in February 1984. To properly adjudicate the claim, a VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the veteran's current diagnoses and determine if they are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and entitlement to a rating higher than 0 percent for sarcoidosis. The claim for residuals of a left shoulder injury was found not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking current disability to service. For sarcoidosis, the Board determined that the veteran's condition has remained asymptomatic and inactive with no residual disabilities.

The Board denied the motion to revise or reverse the January 1958 decision, which affirmed the RO's severance of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis, based on CUE.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis, residuals of a gunshot wound involving Muscle Group XXI, and residuals of a gunshot wound involving Muscle Group I were all denied by the RO. The VA determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for tinea versicolor and pulmonary and mediastinal sarcoidosis, effective from May 5, 1960. The appellant's symptoms are currently rated as 10% disabling.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, was granted. The skin disability claim is pending and the PTSD and special monthly pension claims are not addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for vision problems associated with sarcoidosis and low back pain is not well-grounded as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chest pain, diagnosed as costochondritis and sarcoidosis, was incurred during active duty for training. The disability is considered well grounded and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hypertension and pulmonary sarcoidosis with mild restrictive lung disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, TDIU, and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of aid and attendance or on account of being housebound were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The VA determined that the appellant's pulmonary nodular sarcoidosis is currently stable and does not warrant an increased rating above the current 10 percent level.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims and rating evaluations, including PTSD.

The RO denied increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected plantar warts of the feet and keratoderma of the hands, as well as his claim for service connection for sarcoidosis.,The RO also granted an increased rating from 10 to 30 percent for the appellant's service-connected plantar warts of the feet effective January 27, 1997.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $12,054.87 and whether the overpayment was properly created.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 10, 1996, for a 60 percent evaluation of service-connected sarcoidosis.

The veteran claims service connection for a left eye disorder, characterized as sarcoid uveitis. The Board finds that the case must be remanded to notify the veteran of the need to submit medical records supporting his reported 1983 diagnosis of sarcoidosis and to suggest he submit treatment records from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.