Sarcoidosis decisions — 2000

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his in-service diagnosis to his death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The new evidence submitted since the 1991 decision is not considered material to reopen the claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his pulmonary function tests showed FEV-1 of 83 percent predicted and FEV-1/FVC at 100 percent. The condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for pulmonary sarcoidosis and non-service-connected pension benefits, finding that his current manifestations of the condition do not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating under either the old or new rating criteria. The claim for an increase in disability rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected sarcoidosis disability is severe enough to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic systemic sarcoidosis and impairment of the sensory branch of the right trigeminal nerve, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis, finding that the veteran's current diagnosis is related to his complaints and treatment in service.

The veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is productive of chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, and mild ventilatory impairment. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent for his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The veteran is seeking service connection for asbestosis, a condition he claims was caused by asbestos exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board has denied an increased rating for sarcoidosis, with involvement of the lungs and hands, currently rated as 60 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees, tinnitus, and sarcoidosis. The current ratings were found to be appropriate based on the clinical findings and symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened. The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis is not well grounded, as there is no competent evidence linking the current diagnosis to his military service. His PTSD and back disabilities are currently rated at their maximum levels.

The Board denied an increase in the veteran's rating for Boeck's sarcoidosis, finding that his condition is inactive and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the veteran's eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. This includes obtaining medical records, conducting examinations, and reviewing Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis is well-grounded, and thus VA must assist in developing facts pertinent to his claim. The veteran currently has a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, which he contends was present during service. A VA physician provided an opinion suggesting it was plausible that the veteran's sarcoidosis may have been acquired during service. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination.