Sarcoidosis decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis, carpal tunnel syndrome (right and left upper extremities), temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and bleeding gums are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is currently rated at 30 percent, which requires the use of a nasal inhaler containing a corticosteroid.

The Board granted service connection for sarcoid arthritis of multiple joints and unspecified pneumoconiosis, sarcoidosis. The effective dates were set at July 20, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis as not well grounded, due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for Boeck's sarcoidosis with tuberculosis bronchial lymph node and a compensable rating for hepatitis. The veteran's hepatitis is resolved and asymptomatic, with no objective clinical evidence of demonstrable liver damage or mild gastrointestinal disturbance secondary to hepatitis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the entitlement to increased ratings for synovitis of both knees. The issues related to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis were addressed in a separate issue.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and sarcoidosis, are rated at noncompensable levels. The combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent was not warranted by a preponderance of the evidence, and thus restored the original 30 percent rating. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pulmonary sarcoidosis was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis, a skin disorder, and a foot ulcer are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's sarcoidosis is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling from May 26, 1999.,Prior to July 23, 1996, the right inguinal hernia was rated as noncompensably disabling. From September 1, 1996, bilateral inguinal hernias are evaluated at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral eye disorder, pes planus, and a separate compensable rating for gout/arthritis (secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis).

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to inadequate evidence and the need for further examination. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board found that the veteran did not develop a respiratory disability, including sarcoidosis, in service or within one year of his service discharge. The preponderance of medical evidence established that any respiratory issues were not related to service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of sarcoidosis, but granted a 30% evaluation for atopic dermatitis prior to June 26, 1998. The increased evaluation for atopic diathesis with mild xerosis after that date was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a higher rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to an incident of service or to a service-connected disability. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, sarcoidosis, berylliosis, chronic bronchitis, and fatigue. The issues of service connection for these conditions are determined to be direct based on evidence showing they were incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date prior to August 21, 1997 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and sarcoidal granulomas of both lower extremities with patches of alopecia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from when the claim was filed.